JOURNAL OF THE AUSTRALIAN NAVAL INSTITUTE

VOLUME 8 AUGUST 1982 NUMBER 3 AUSTRALIAN NAVAL INSTITUTE

1. The Australian Naval Inslitute has been formed and incorporated in the Australian Capital Territory. The main objects of the Institute are:— a. to encourage and promote the advancement of knowledge related to the Navy and the Maritime profession. b. to provide a forum foi the exchange of ideas concerning subjects related to the Navy and the Maritime profession. c. to publish a journal.

2. The Institute is self supposing and non-profit making. The aim is to encourage discussion, dissemina- tion of information, comment and opinion and the advancement of professional knowledge concerning naval and maritime matte-s.

3. Membership of the Institute is open to — a. Regular Members — Members of the Permanent Naval Forces of Australia. b. Associate Members — (1) Members of the Reserve Naval Forces of Australia. (2) Members of the Australian Military Forces and the Royal Australian Air Force both permanent and reserve. (3) Ex-members of the Australian Defence Forces, both permanent and reserve components, provided that they have been honourably discharged from that force. (4) Other persons having and professing a special interest in naval and maritime affairs. c. Honorary Members — A person who has made a distinguished contribution to the Naval or maritime profession or who has rendered distinguished service to the Institute may be elected by the Council to Honorary Membership.

4 Joining fee for Regular ard Associate members is $5. Annual Subscription for both is $15.

5. Inquiries and application for membership should be directed to:— The Secretary, Australian Naval Institute, P.O. Box 18, DEAKIN, A.C.T. 2600

CONTRIBUTIONS As the Australian Naval Institute exists for the promotion and advancement of knowledge relating to the Naval and maritime profession, all members are strongly encouraged to submit articles for publication. Only in this way will our aims be achieved.

DISCLAIMER In writing for the Institute i: must be borne in mind that the views expressed are those of the author and not necessarily those of the Department of Defence, the Chief of Naval Staff or the Institute. The Editorial Committee reserves the right to amend articles for publication purposes.

Registered for Posting as a Publication — Category B ISSN 03/2-5807 JOURNAL OF THE AUSTRALIAN NAVAL INSTITUTE (INC.)

TITLE CONTENTS PAGE

Chapter News 2 Correspondence 3 Notice of Annual General Meeting 5 From the Secretary's desk 7 Changed your Address? 7 New Members 8 Subscriptions 8 History Under Whitehall — byLtCdrW.N. Swan OAM RAN (Rtd) 9 Seapower'81 Revisited 11 Contributions 11 Australia's Naval Strategy for the Next Decade — by SqdnLdr O.K. Palmer 13 A Small Ship View of the Battle of the Atlantic — by Mr Michael Thwaites 19 The Relevance of Gunboat Diplomacy in the 1980s — by Commander R. Burgess RAN 21 Gunboat Diplomacy and the Falklands Conflict — by Commander R. Burgess RAN 29 Industrial Relations Training — by MrC. Evans 31 HMS BUCCANEER — by Jack Philip-Nicols 36 Washington Notes 39 Journal Binders 43 Ships and the Sea 45 Book Reviews 47 Journal Back Issues 50 Naval Institute Insignia 51 Application for Membership 52

Articles or condensations of articles are not to be reprinted or reproduced without the permission of the Institute. Extracts may be quoted for the purposes of research, review or comment provided the source is acknowledged.

The front cover: Armed Trawler similar to that discussed by Mr Michael Thwaites.

Journal of the Australian Naval Institute — Page 1 CHAPTER NEWS

The Canberra Chapter has attempted to maintain a consistent level of activity this year. Regrettably, our March meeting had to be can- celled at short notice when our speaker — Mr Don Fry, Managing Director of North Queensland Engineers and Agents — was unable to attend. However, Mr Michael Thwaites addressed a combined meeting of 20 members of the Institute and Naval Historical Society on 27 April, his subject being 'A Small Ship View of the Battle of the Atlantic'. Rear Admiral R.W. Paffard, CB, CBE, RN Ret'd, shared some anecdotes of naval life in the 1920s and 1930s at a similar meeting on 25 May, and Captain T.J. Holden RAN addressed the Chapter on 'Developments in International Law Affecting the Conduct of Naval Warfare' on 3 August. Articles based on these addresses will be published in the Journal. Regrettably, attendance at Chapter Meet- ings has averaged slightly less than 10% of Institute members in the Canberra area. This proved to be an expensive disappointment, as preparations for each meeting had included the mailing of letters to 60 members who could not be contacted through a circular within the Depart- ment of Defence. Notice of meetings through the post has ceased, as the cost involved did not produce any increased attendance at meetings Notice of Chapter meetings will now normally be provided only in the Journal, which is inexpensive but allows little planning flexibility as all the arrange- ments must be finalised several months in advance. The Chapter will convene next immediately after the Annual General Meeting of the Institute on 22 October, in Legacy House, Allara Street, Canberra City. Our speaker is planned to be Mr Don Fry, who has indicated his willingness to travel to Canberra to address the Institute on the subject 'Naval Shipbuilding in North Queensland' This promises to be a most interesting meeting, and we look forward to the attendance of members from both the ACT, and interstate.

Page 2 — Journal of the Auslra Van Naval Institute Correspondence

FIRST NAVAL MEMBERS AND THE RAN, 1931-1948 Of the three RN officers. Sir Guy Royle had the most difficult time, clashing with the Government over the AUSTRALIA Court Dear Sir, Martial in 1942 and again in 1945 after the abortive attempt to Captain Bateman in his discussions of the loss of the secure the loan of HMS OCEAN and two 6" gunned cruisers SYDNEY raised the question of whether or not the British Flag (initially, HMS KENYA and one other). Forewarned, Sir Louis Officers, who served on loan to the RAN as First Naval Member Hamilton left the United Kingdom with the stated intention of and Chief of the Naval Staff, may have experienced a conflict of establishing a Fleet Air Arm in the RAN based around at least loyalties between the Australian Government on one hand and two light fleet carriers, whatever the cost and whatever the the Admiralty on the other. means The approval by Government of such a programme This issue hitherto has received little attention from his- before he left Australia is purely a tribute to Hamilton's tact and torians but is one of such importance in the development of the powers of persuasion RAN that it deserves full treatment. One other matter which deserves mention is the appoint- The fact is that there has also been a definite tendency to ment of Sir John Collins as First Naval Member. Admiral Collins play down the great work done by senior RN officers on loan as had been considered the prospective first RANG graduate CNS well as that of those who transferred to the RAN from the RN and since at least 1941 and the Admiralty were in wholehearted RNR in the very early days This particularly applies to four First agreement with this selection They made the point, however, Naval Members: that Collins could do with more experience in Flag Rank before Vice-Admiral Sir George F Hyde KCB CVO CBE RAN 1931 -37 his appointment as First Naval Member then command of the Vice-Admiral Sir Ragnar Colvin KBE CB 1937-41 Australian Squadron and the Imperial Defence College course. Vice-Admiral Sir Guy Royle KCB CMC 1941-45 Sir John, for one, was hardly likely to disagree, since early Vice-Admiral Sir Louis Hamilton KCB DSO 1945-48 appointment to the post meant almost certainly, eventual pre- It should be realised that the Admiralty did its best to select mature retirement. the very best of what could be described as the 'Second Eleven In informal discussions the Admiralty proposed a variety of Admirals; that is those who were not slated for command of one posts, including a year in Whitehall as an additional ACNS of the two major fleets or in the running for appointment as First followed by an appointment as C-in-C East Indies. An essential Sea Lord. requirement for these appointments to be made was the Colvin, for example, had served successively as Chief of Staff selection of another senior RN Flag Officer to relieve Hamilton in the Home Fleet, Rear Admiral Second Battle Sguadron and (The latter refused to extend his time more than six months past Admiral President at Greenwich. Royle had been Naval his original two year term). This, unfortunately, the Labor Secretary, Vice Admiral Aircraft Carriers and Fifth Sea Lord and Government would now allow. Chief of Naval Air Services. The affair probably ended forever the chance of RAN Flag The real problem was that many Flag Officers didn't want to Officers serving in the RN in exchange posts, as distinct from RN come. Sir Max Horton refused the job before World War I and Sir senior officers serving on loan to make up RAN members The Harold Burrough (among others) in 1945 They saw the appoint- last loan British Flag Officer on loan to the RN was. I believe. ment of First Naval Member as being one with little power and Rear Admiral J.W M. Eaton DSO, DSC as FOCAF in the early great responsibility The RAN was run on a shoe-string and 1950 s The only RAN Flag Officer to have served on exchange Australian politicians (of all parties) and Australian civil servants with the RN was Sir Francis Hyde who as a Rear Admiral (not, I hasten to add, those of the Department of the Navy) had a commanded the Third Battle Squadron in 1930-31 nasty reputation for meddling Finally, as FOCAS commanded Yours faithfully the Squadron. First Naval Member had little operational authority in peacetime and none in wartime, save for the dubious James Goldrick Sea Frontier responsibilities allocated by the Americans. Lieutenant, RAN The problem of divided loyalties was two sided. First, other authorities, particularly the 1941-49 Labor Governments, assumed that the British loan officers were acting as the Admiralty required rather than in the interest of the RAN Such an assumption — being in the manner of a 'have you stopped beating your wife' question — was difficult to deny Second, although successive First Naval Members did PUT THE WOOL ON OUR BACKS have very independent views and plans for the RAN, Admiralty backing, unless it be for a reduction in the naval establishment, I must take issue with BRASDACIER's comments Pulling was essential for their ideas to be accepted by the Government the Wool Over Our Eyes in the February 1982 issue concerning Whether or not the latter approved of Whitehall it is significant RAN uniform and the woolly pully One can only imagine that he that when any plans for expanding the RAN were put forward by must bear some grudge against the Navy that he left after 35 the Naval Board which were more ambitious and extensive than years to make him condemn one of the most internationally those desired by the Admiralty the Australian Government favoured items of Royal Navy uniform as 'impracticable', 'in- would reduce them to the lower scale appropriate', 'uncomfortable' and 'sartorial folly .

Journal of the Australian Naval Institute — Page 3 I wonder if he is aware that the RAN, far from automatically WHO SANK THE SYDNEY? aping the RN as he suggests, has been rather late in the day 1 adopting one of the most practica . comfortable and economical Dear Sir. items of uniform sponsored by either the Admiralty or the It was with a great deal of interest that I read the letter by Admiralty Board. Joseph Porter (Journal of May 1982) in which he proposed that While the British Army may be given credit for the original action be taken to locate the wreck of HMAS SYDNEY as a fitting woolly pully as an item of comtat kit, its use has been con- event of the 75th birthday year of the Royal Australian Navy siderably widened. The crimson woolly pully of 11th Hussars To reinforce his case let me remind members that the has no denim pockets and neithe' has the bottle-green pullover Japanese have recently located the wreck of their battleship of 8th Hussars, where officers wear it with a tie. The Royal YAMATO sunk during World War II. They have not released Netherlands Marine Corps has adopted this British design and, plans of any further action, but no doubt they have something without their caps, are hard to distinguish from British forces; the spectacular in mind. same applies to the United States Marines who have also HMS EDINBURGH was located in the not too distant past adopted the same garment. I am not sure whether they are and a very satisfactory salvage operation carried out at 600ft in official or not, but in the NATO area a number of USN officers the Barents Sea. That operation was a commercial venture — have been observed in black dyed woolly pullys. The Australian perhaps that's the reason for its success. Army and RAAF beat the RAN in getting their officers into this Not to locate SYDNEY and use some part of her in the popular rig. This garment is now a favoured worked uniform of proposed RAN memorial in Canberra could be construed by many Services of many nations. some as an admission of either a lack of technical skills or just If BRASDACIER were to take a trip around RN training plain apathy. establishments he would, I think, be surprised to see how many foreign officers discard their official national uniforms and don Circe the RN woolly pully with the addition of their national rank FALKLAND ISLAND LESSON badges — not always distinguishable from RN badges How widespread has been this popular reaching for the woolly pully Dear Sir, by RAN officers is apparent from the numbers being worn The recent Falklands conflict confirmed my belief, ex- throughout the Fleet and in shore establishments. In a recent pressed in my letter The Protection of Shipping1 (Vol 6 No 1 RAN recruiting film one ship has no officer visible without a February 1980), that modern, air delivered weapons are un- woolly pully on h.s back. suitable when employed against merchant vessels. This is As one such RAN officer who has for several years worn an particularly the case when considered in the context of convoy RN woolly pully on appropriate occasions at sea or on shore, I have found it comfortable, tidy, economical on one's uniform operations where the aim is to ferry large guantities of war materials between two points. upkeep allowance, and cosy in chilly weather It is an in- It was interesting to note that the only ship to be sunk by a comparably smarter and more generally useful garment than weapon was the GENERAL BELGRANO which sank approxi- the old Coastal Forces jumper that BRASDACIER recalls, one mately one hour after being hit by a submarine launched which really was only appropriate as a cold weather item of sea torpedo. The remaining vessels were struck by air weapons and kit. remained afloat for days before being scuttled by their own The Australian Army used to lave a Vee-necked jumper not crews. The ATLANTIC CONVEYOR, a container ship, was unlike that of some Pakastani regiments, which was another struck by two Exocet Missiles and whilst being severely BRASDACIER recommend, but hey abandoned it in favour of damaged, her cargo of Harrier Aircraft, and aircraft spares was the more attractive woolly pully. So, fellow members, do not be largely salvaged. misled by BRASDACIER's hawing back to scruffy Coastal The most effective unit to deploy in anti-shipping operations Forces lumpers and Pakistani Army vee-necks. Enjoy the year is the submarine Surface and sirforces have a limited capacity round comforts and savings on gold braid that will come with only in preventing merchant vessels arriving at their destination investing in the long awaited RAM woolly pully with their cargoes largely intact. Re-Tread Too Lt Cdr Frank Allica

G

Page 4 — Journal of the Australian Naval institute NOTICE OF ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

The Annual General Meeting will be held at 2015 on Friday 22 October 1982 at Legacy House, Allara Street, Canberra, A.C.T.

AGENDA: 1. Confirmation of Minutes of the Annual General Meeting held on 20 November 1981. 2. Business arising from the Minutes. 3. President's Report. 4. Auditor's Report. 5. Election of the officers of the Institute and the Ordinary Councillors. 6. Appoint an Auditor and fix his remuneration. 7. Other Business.

ELECTIONS: Office Bearers: The Office Bearers of the Institute are: a. President d. Treasurer b. Senior Vice President e. Secretary c. Junior Vice President f. Journal Editor

COUNCIL: The Council of the Institute consists of: a. The Office Bearers b. Ten regular members known as Ordinary Councillors

QUALIFICATIONS: Only regular members may hold office.

NOMINATIONS: Nominations of candidates for election are to be signed by two members (regular or associate) of the Institute and forwarded to reach the Secretary no later than 6 October. Nomination forms are available from the Secretary.

VOTING: Only regular members may vote and voting must be in person at the Annual General Meeting.

HONORARY SECRETARY

Journal of the Australian Naval Institute — Page 5 Page 6 — Journal of the Australian Naval Institute FROM THE SECRETARY'S DESK

As you will see elsewhere in the Journal, the AGM is planned for Friday 22 October at Legacy House, Canberra, the meeting to be followed by a function organised by the Canberra Chapter. All members in Canberra, or who can arrange to come to Canberra, are urged to attend — remember that the Constitution allows personal voting only, with no postal or proxy votes. Those not able to attend may nominate Office Bearers or Ordinary Councillors, but please ensure first that your nominees are prepared to serve and are likely to be in Canberra for at least 12 months after the AGM. We have had a fair degree of turnover of Councillors this year. More stability next year is most desirable. Please note also that the Council is not a retirement village for brass hats — we would be delighted to see more nominations from both male and female sailors and junior officers. I will be pleased to discuss the functions and responsibilities of Councillors with anyone who may be interested. Nomination forms are available from me on request. Subscriptions are due for 1982-1983, so please pause to write your cheque this very moment The Membership Sub-Committee is expecting a record to be established this year, with all sub- scriptions paid before the new year commences. Please write your cheque before you read any further. Now that you have paid your subs, I can tell you that the Council has been looking actively at the administrative capacity of the Institute with a view to future needs as our membership expands; it has established a system of objectives to be achieved/amended/renewed each year; and has given considerable assistance to two chapters as part fulfillment of one of this year's objectives. More details will be given in the President's Report at the AGM. My phone has rung several times since I published my name and number in the last edition and I have had a couple of letters from old friends — but the editor has been disappointed in the number who have contacted him. We published a list of ideas for articles in the last journal, so how about scribbling something down and sending it in an envelope with your cheque?

Geoff Cults

CHANGED YOUR ADDRESS?

Did your last Journal turn up late, or come via another ship or establishment7 If it did, then perhaps you have moved and forgotten to tell us. Similarly, if the rank was wrong then perhaps you may have forgotten to amend that too During the rush to distribute the Journal to members, a great number of the distribution team make comment on the obvious incorrect addresses that they are aware of, but in their efforts to get the |ob done they do not have the time to alter the address labels. If you have changed your address, or rank, or intend to do one or the other, or both, before the next edition please let us know Just drop a note to the Membership Secretary and advise him of: your name; membership number (top of the address label): new address (or new title).

The Editor

Journal of the Australian Naval Institute — Page 7 NEW MEMBERS

Commander R.D. Poulton RANR Commander R.R.H. FAYLE 2 Milbong St RMB251 SunneybankQLD4109 Gundaroo Rd Bungendore NSW 2621 SubLtB.M. Kaufhold 39 Orpington St Surgeon Commander P. HABERSBERGER Bexley Nth NSW 2207 RANR Midshipman S.N.J. Wilson WRANS Pine Cottage Lieutenant K.B. JONES 61 Plunket St Russell Offices Nowra NSW 2541 Canberra ACT 2600

Lieut M.H.De Vries Lieutenant P.M. MAY HMAS PERTH HMAS JERVIS BAY

Superintendent T.M. Hoa^e Lt Cdr R. PRIEST RANR 2 Borambil Place Brisbane Port Division Oyster Bay NSW 2225 HMAS MORETON

SubLt R.L. Boyce Lieutenant I. SCHARNBERG RANR HMAS BETANO Adelaide Port Division HMAS ENCOUNTER Lieut Cdr D.J. Davidson F;NZN 61 Tama St Lieutenant R.J. SHERWOOD Lower Hurt NZ HMAS CANBERRA Sqdn Ldr O.K. Palmer RAAF 44 Nanda Place Lieutenant M.J. SINCLAIR Marmong Pt NSW HMAS SWAN

SurgLtJ.D. Bird RANR Lt Cdr K.V.TAYLOR RANR 86 Cross Rd Sydney Port Division Myrtlebank SA 5064 HMAS WATERHEN

SUBSCRIPTIONS Members are reminded that subscriptions for 1982/83 are due on or before 1 October 1982 Early payment would greatly assist your council. A format to assist you in the payment of subscriptions is enclosed with this edition of the Journal.

Page 8 — Journal of the Australian Naval Institute HISTORY UNDER WHITEHALL

By Lieut-Commander William Swan, OAM, RAN (Rtd)

During 1980, I was fortunate to pay a long The famous War Rooms in the basement visit to Britain, partly holiday, but mostly to indulge comprised a warren of narrow passages and over my retirement pursuits of genealogy and history 150 rooms. I understand credit for its existence generally. In planning my trip, I decided, as I had belonged to two men, General Sir Leslie Hollis, designed Naval Operations Rooms in Melbourne Churchill's deputy CSO in the War Cabinet and Canberra, that I would like to see the British offices, and a messenger named Mr Ranee. What Cabinet War Rooms underneath Whitehall, in happened was that, long before it was occupied, London. I had heard much about this complex of the then Colonel Hollis had seen the need for such rooms where Winston Churchill and other Second a headquarters. He, and Office of Works World War leaders met and made historic messenger Ranee, set to work on their own in the decisions, so I wrote to the British Government greatest secrecy, to prepare this underground accordingly, and duly received a polite reply headquarters for its ultimate use. All their inviting me to attend on a specified time and date. materials arriving at the imposing St James Park Before proceeding further, I must hark back entrance were, despite raised eyebrows, con- 40 years to war-torn London. At the western end signed to 'Mr Ranee's room1, a cover for the of Whitehall there is a large office block which project. A charming old gentleman in the War, then housed many ministries. Its side facing Ranee had once been a Warrant Officer in the Whitehall was the Home Office; that facing army unit garrisoning the Indian Penal Settlement Parliament Square, the Treasury (bombed out of in the Andaman Islands and was, by all accounts, its office on the far side of Downing Street); that a shrewd operator and 'cutter of corners and red facing King Charles Street, the Operations tape'. It was he who went around the offices with a Rooms of the Air Ministry; and that facing St chronometer adjusting all clocks to GMT, on the James Park, the offices of the War Cabinet. On direct order of the Prime Minister. It had been the the 3rd and 4th floors of this block, many sets of practice of the JPS to keep their clocks 10 minutes rooms were occupied by various Ministers, with fast so they would never be late for meetings. One small staffs. day, Churchill had suddenly decided to attend a D To the right of the great bronze doors open- of P's conference. On arriving, he looked at the ing on to St James Park, the ground and 1 st floor clock and apologised for being late. Then, rooms had been given over to Mr Churchill and his glancing at his watch, he saw that he had arrived personal entourage because No 10 Downing dead on time. Most annoyed, he ordered steps to Street was 200 years old and, having no steel be taken to see that 'this never occurred again'. girders, was vulnerable to air attack. Indeed The basement was designed as a retreat for bombs had exploded in the back garden and the War Cabinet in the event of a landing by kitchen there. The Prime Minister ate, and often enemy parachutists. There was an office, a held meetings, at No 10; but he slept and spent bedroom and a small dining room for the PM; much of his time in this block, in a part known as bedrooms for Attlee, Bevin, Beaverbrook, Eden, the '10 Downing Street annexe'. His secretaries, Sinclair and other members of the War Cabinet, Martin, Peck, Rowan and others, worked in the who used them on nights of heavy raids; and ground floor rooms adjacent to his bedroom, and bedrooms for Sir Edward Bridges (secretary of he also had a private Map Room run by Captain the War Cabinet), General Ismay (the PM's Pirn, RNVR, a most necessary facility. principal Staff Officer), Brigadier Hollis RM (his On the floor above, were the offices of his deputy), Colonel Jacob (Communications), P/A, Major Sir Desmond Morton; his ADC, Commander Thompson RN; his scientific adviser, Prof. Lindemann; and also a mess for his entourage. Below the PM's own rooms, and extending to the north west corner of the block, The author was a Staff Officer to the Australian Naval was the fortress basement in which worked and Board for 5 years, during which time he was custodian of the Naval Operations Room in Melbourne (1957-59) lived the Cabinet Secretariat, the JPS and the JIS. and designed and set up 2 Operations Rooms in So, night or day, he only had to phone and an aide Canberra (1959 and 1961) could be with him in 2 minutes.

Journal of the Australian Naval Institute — Page 9 Brendan Bracken, Harve/ Wyatt and other mem- day to show the higher-ups the latest War bers of the War Cabinet office. There was also a situation. big room where the War Cabinet met on nights of I saw maps, charts, message chutes and air raids; a similar one for the Chiefs of Staff; document trays, all ready for immediate use, and accommodation for typists; a large Map Room was astonished to see messages dated 1945 still staffed by 12 Officers of the 3 Services; and an on desks and in trays. Here elderly or wounded Army mess where a snack or lunch could be had. officers stuck pins on maps to show the position of Behind a curtain in one; corner, Royal Marine troops on all battle fronts, the position of every orderlies could heat soup or product a dish of ship in the Navy, and every RAF squadron. They eggs and bacon. But most officers ate cold food, produced a daily report based on signals from hams, tongues, biscuits and cheese. It was a 'no Commands, ship sinkings, enemy aircraft shot frills' time. down, and it was the duty of a Lieut-Colonel It was with some excitement that I approach- Weber-Brown to take a copy of this summary ed the St James Park entrance at 1000 on every morning to the King at Buckingham Palace. Wednesday 19th June 1980, having walked Finally we reached the climax of our visit, the several miles from my flat in Chelsea, and saw War Cabinet Room where they would sit at a large half a dozen people waiting. Our guide, Mr C. table around the room in the form of a hallow Truter, then escorted us inside, relieved us of all square. We were allowed to sit down and, as the top-coats, umbrellas, hats, sticks, briefcases and original place-names were still on the table, I handbags, and gave us; each a torch. After a became 'Sir Stafford Cripps'. While thus seated, description of the history of the War Rooms, he we were told more of the history of the basement, said 'Now follow me closely, and mind your which was created mainly from the old wine heads.' Our descent reminded me of the lower cellars of the original mansions within the old deck of a battleship. White paint was everywhere, Palace of Whitehall. Then came the most moving and along the ceilings of Ihe narrow passages ran time of our inspection. Mr Truter played for us a mass of cables carrying light, heat, telephones records of Winston Churchill's wartime speeches, and air-conditioning to the numerous rooms, and it was an unforgettable experience to sit many of which resembled ships' cabins. It was there, under busy London, and hear that inimit- 'mind your heads' indeed. There was a special able voice in his secret headquarters, and in the telephone exchange here during the War, from very room in which he presided. I then sat in the which GPO engineers had laid deep underground PM's chair, after which we filed back to our lines to the headquarters of the various starting point where we retrieved our belongings. Commands outside London and to Edinburgh, Up on the ground floor, with high ceilings and Glasgow, Cardiff, Birmingham, etc., so that, wide corridors to greet us again, we passed the should all London exchanges be destroyed, lines spot where once stood the famous hat-stand. On to these centres would be unaffected. The base- it on most days during the War, only 4 hats hung; ment was fire and flood aroof and had a 4ft thick but what 'brass hats'! They belonged to the Chief layer of concrete between it and the ground floor of Naval Staff, the Chief of the Imperial General of the block. It had held ample medical stores and Staff, the Chief of Air Staff and Lord Louis Mount- was provisioned for 3 months. So even had batten. Surely no hat-stand in the kingdom ever German paratroopers temporarily seized central had to withstand such a weight of brass. London, the fortress would have closed up like a mussel, and the PM and his advisers would have About midday we emerged into the street and been able to continue to direct the war effort. the peaceful world of Westminster in 1980, our minds full of the history we had seen underneath As we filed through this labrynth, we saw the streets, the convoys dotted on the seven seas, rooms of interest, in which once slept or worked the armies rolling across Europe, the bombing cabinet ministers, generals, admirals, air- missions. For my part, I shall never forget my marshals, and one little cubicle where Mr journey back in time in that Churchill 'shrine', the Churchill spoke to President Roosevelt almost Cabinet War Rooms, which are now to be pre- daily by transatlantic telephone. We then entered served forever by the British government's the PM's bedroom-cum office, not large, with a Department of the Environment. single bed at one end and a desk with a micro- phone at the other. I sat in the chair in which Churchill made many of his famous wartime speeches. Then to the Chiefs of Staff conference room, and the rooms where that most secret committee, the London Controlling Section (which handled Deception) worked under the brilliant Colonel John Sevan. Next came the Map Rooms where teams of officers toiled 24 hours a

Page 10 — Journal ot the Australian Naval Institute SEAPOWER '81 — REVISITED

There will be no ANI Seminar in 1983. This will be a disappointment for most members so perhaps we should take the opportunity to investigate whether any lessons were learnt from SEAPOWER'81. The February '83 edition of the Journal will be devoted to articles based on the topics discussed at the last Seminar. In the light of the Falklands crisis, does some of our thinking need to be updated? For those who did not attend the seminar now is your chance to express your point of view on any of the subjects discussed. For those who attended but were not heard, now is your chance to ask questions or put forward a point of view. Those who presented papers may care to add to, or revise the opinions and judgements presented during SEAPOWER '81. Copies of the Proceedings are still available at $12 per copy and these contain the papers presented at the Seminar. SEAPOWER '81 Proceedings are available from the Treasurer whilst articles and other contributions should be forwarded to the Editor by 20 December 1982.

CONTRIBUTIONS Production of the Journal is no easy task. The Editorial staff rely on contributions in the way of major and minor articles, letters and snippets of humour, to keep the journal interesting and professional. One does not have to be a professional author nor a Member of the ANI to submit an article. If you have something to pass on to Journal readers, but you are worried about your literary ability, then send it in with a note granting permission for the Editor to use his Editorial licence. The choice of the subject is yours. There will be no recriminations, nor adverse comments. Use your own name or a nom de plume. Photographs appropriate to the article are a help, but we can assist in the provision of these if needs be. In case you need a starter, here are some ideas we would like to see developed, but do feel free to write on any other subject: • Articles from members of ships companies of our newest — or oldest — vessels, on technical and/or habitability aspects. • Articles of historical value — ships, places, events, personalities. • Briefs on the roles and functions, current tasks of (small) establishments such as AJWE, AJASS, SAMR, RANTAU, RANSTT .. . • Far more short pieces on shiphandling, Technical topics or, if you wish to make the point that no one listens to, Nobody Asked me, But... • Articles from non-RAN members on the latest moves in their own Services or Organisations. • Some general pieces on, say, maritime/military strategy, seapower, old/new weapons, training and education, organisation of the RAM/Defence structure, role of chaplains, recruiting policy/ practice, feeding/drinking/sporting habits in the RAN, management/leadership etc., etc., etc.

Journal of the Australian Naval Institute — Page 11 Royal Swedish Navy has taken delivery of Hugin-class patrol boat no. 14 in a series of 16. Length: 36.4 m. Displacement: 150 tons. Speed: 30+ knots. Complement: 18.

SCANFIRE • Bofors all purpose gun 57 mm/ L 70. • Kongsberg SSM Penguin Mk 2. • Philips combat & weapon control system 9LV 200. This powerful weapon package is proposed for the R.A.N. Freemantle class FPB

PHILIPS ELEKTRONIKINDUSTRIER AB Defence Electronics. S-17588 Jartalla, Sweden. PHILIPS Tel. Int. +4675810000. Telex 11505 philja s.

Page 12 — Journal ol the Aus'ra/ian Naval Institute The author was awarded the ANI Silver Medal for this essay submitted during his attendance at the RAN Staff College. AUSTRALIA'S NAVAL STRATEGY FOR THE NEXT DECADE

By Squadron Leader O.K. Palmer

Australia's current, short term economic out- considered proven, thus naval strategy en- look is gloomy Low building project approvals compasses the full use of the air above the sea.4 and business and consumer confidence, high Finally, for the purpose of the essay, Australia's unemployment and interest rates, and trade and assumed National aim is that Australia aims: balance of payment deficits have led to the largest • to remain a democratic country quarterly increase in the Consumer Price Index • to protect the sovereignty of her mainland, for five years1 and suggest that a recession, at islands, offshore resources and protectorates least, is imminent. This will require the Govern- • to avoid war and to promote peace ment to be even more stringent in its future • to provide a steadily increasing standard of budgetary planning. At a time of no perceived living for her citizens external threat to Australia, nor it seems, the • to maintain cordial relations with other nations likelihood of one developing in the short term. • to provide support to poorer nations. political pressure will make expenditure on defence extremely hard to justify over other more electorally acceptable items. Nature of strategy Unco-ordinated and contradictory policies Despite (or perhaps because of) many in- which result from the lack of a clearly defined and formed writings on the subject, there is confusion enunciated national aim, which has the over- over the meaning of strategy when used in a whelming support of the population at large, could military context. One reason for this is the in- be contributing to the gloomy economic outlook. creasing use of the word in business. Confusion The exercise of determining a national aim, based occurs when elements of these definitions, which on a consideration of Australia's vital interests, may be adequate in business, are used in the would at least consolidate thinking and compel military arena.5 Another reason, helped by 'the the appropriate decision makers to think through fallacy of equating strategy with destruction',6 is the problems confronting Australia. In addition, the failure to isolate equipments and tactics from such an aim would help to unify a society which is discussions on strategy. These are aspects which currently polarized and lacking in consensus,2 must necessarily support strategy, but are really and provide the basis for the development of a 'instances of. or plans formed according to,' national strategy and subordinate and supportive strategy.7 The final source of confusion to be strategies, of which economic strategy is but one. mentioned here is the popular usage of the word Another subordinate strategy is naval stra- to mean 'intercontinental' or 'surpassing borders' tegy, which is one factor in the determination of thereby introducing the concept of distance into defence expenditure. The determination of a consideration. This may not necessarily be a valid pertinent naval strategy is the first step toward qualification of strategy. ensuring that essential naval capabilities are A useful starting point to help clear away acquired without pecuniary waste. some of the confusion is a look at the place of This essay aims to determine an appropriate strategy in the order of things. Strategy fills the naval strategy for Australia for the next decade gulf between the national aim and doctrine. To To achieve this, the nature of strategy, in par- gain further perspective, doctrine is defined as: ticular naval strategy, will be examined and 'Fundamental principles by which military applied to Australia's defence environment. forces or elements thereof guide their actions Although the essay is concerned with the formu- in support of national objectives. It is authori- lation of naval strategy, some consideration of the tive but requires judgement in application.' commercial element of maritime strategy will be As a concept, strategy should be considered necessary.3 Also, given the decade under con- as a system of hierarchical, inter-related tiers. sideration, the place of air power in sea power is Each tier contributes to the achievement of the

Journal of the Australian Naval Institute — Page 13 national aim but is subordinate to the tiers above. communication can be cut at any point (sea To illustrate this concept, consider terms such as control denied) but they must be maintained 'grand strategy' which is immediately subordinate throughout their entire length (sea control main- to the national aim and whose role is: tained). This does not mean that sea control must 'to co-ordinate and direct all the resources of be maintained at all times in all places, but that it a nation, or band of nations, towards the must be maintained when and where necessary. Without sea control, projection and presence are attainment of the political object of the war — 14 the goal defined by lundamental policy;'8 impossible. Deterrence is achieved by naval presence. and 'military strategy', subordinate to grand Typically during periods of heightened inter- strategy and defined as: national tension or outbreaks of limited war, The art and science of applying the armed nations despatch naval forces to the area to signal forces of a nation to secure the objectives of intentions and interest. 'Gunboat diplomacy' as it national policy by the application of force or is sometimes called, is often effective because the threat of force.' naval forces can provide a flexible response To complete the concept as it applies here, mari- without necessarily escalating these situations or time strategy is an integral part of military strategy, producing undue demands on the resources of while naval strategy is an integral part of maritime the protagonists: should the situation then strategy. The concept and definitions require deteriorate, forces are available if required. further refinement and clarification. A country's strategy must be determined after a full consideration of the enduring features, Firstly, because strategy is concerned with such as geography, and the changing features attaining objectives, the objectives must be attain- 9 such as intelligence assessments, economic able with the power and resources available. trends and new technological developments. Bearing in mind that 20th century war is fought in Thus strategy is not a static concept but one which four dimensions — operational, logistical, social 10 is continually evolving. Throughout, the principle and technological — the relevance of, the power available in, each dimension must be care- of maximizing the advantages and minimizing the disadvantages inherent in the features under fully considered before strategies are determined. consideration, is pertinent.15 Should there be no Not only must the national aim and strategies discernible external threat when viewed from selected serve the nation's vital interests, they within, a view from the standpoint of a potential must have the full support of the population and enemy must be taken. Should this disclose be technically, operationally and economically potential weaknesses which might be exploited achievable. militarily, there is a requirement to develop a The fallacy of 'equating strategy with des- countering strategy. truction' has a more serious consequence when it veils the thought that the 'essence of strategy is Australia's defence environment control, that is to establish control . . . strategy seeks to establish control, not necessarily to Australia is a vast island continent, isolated destroy'.11 from the major world powers and has a wide range of climatic conditions and terrain. It has Although the attainment of objectives is cited extensive maritime resource areas which are in the definitions of grand and military strategy gaining in size and importance, and strategically already given, on some occasions all that may be important offshore territorial interests. Any necessary is to deny an objective to the enemy. approach, apart from the north, involves a long, Instead of winning, all that may be necessary is 12 ocean transit. The country is underdeveloped with not losing. Liddell Hart believes that the 'per- the exception of urban, industrial concentrations fection of strategy would be, therefore, to in the eastern, south-eastern and south-western produce, a decision wrhout any serious fight- 13 coastal fringes where the small population is ing.' Thus strategy has to do with deterring an situated. The national communications network of enemy as well as actually fighting him. road, rail and telecommunications is not well The notions of control and deterrence as a developed in the north and north-west, nor are part of strategy have teen well recognized in there many large airfields or ports in these areas traditional naval strategy. Three aspects of naval Australia depends heavily on seaborne trade power have been sea control, projection and of which less than five percent is carried in its own presence. An examination of these, reveals that flag carriers.16 Huge deposits of minerals located sea control keeps the seas open for commercial in the north and west must be transported over- and military traffic of all kinds, projection makes seas and to the processing centres in the the application of military power overseas industrialized portions of the country. Australia's possible, and presence enables pressure, short principal trading partners are the United States of of actual force, to be bro jght to bear. Sea control America (US), Japan and the European Eco- is easier to deny than rraintain because lines of nomic Community, while a major proportion of

Page 14 — Journal ol the Australian Naval Institute petroleum products are imported from the Middle and industrial advantages will occur during the East. Australia has limited capability to process next decade. raw materials into munitions and defence equip- Australia is a member of the United Nations ments nor is it fully self-sufficient in all the Organization and a signatory to several treaties resources required. The dependence on sea- and agreements. Major treaties are the ANZUS borne trade is not likely to diminish in the fore- and the Five Power Arrangements which are seeable future. consultative military alliances; the former is In its use of military forces, Australia has between Australia, New Zealand (NZ) and the traditionally supplied support to larger overseas US; while the latter includes the United Kingdom, forces rather than operated independently. In the Australia, NZ, Malaysia and Singapore. The last 10 years, Australian doctrine and procedures Radford-Collins agreement is a major agreement to enable more independent operations have which provides for the Allied Naval Control and been developed, bearing in mind the requirement Protection of Shipping. A changing feature which to maintain interoperability with allies. In 1975 a must be carefully monitored is intelligence. As major defence reorganization was effected when stated previously there is no discernible, external military threat to Australia, nor in the short term, a single department replaced the then existing 21 three service departments and a Chief of Defence the likelihood of one developing. In order to Force Staff (CDFS) was appointed to command promote stability, and prevent war, Australia pro- the Australian Defence Force (ADF). By Minis- vides support in the form of training and equip- terial directive, CDFS commands through Single ment to regional countries, and contributes to Service Chiefs of Staff, or if he so chooses, international peace keeping forces. directly by the appointment of a Joint Force To sum up the defence environment, several Commander. However, as yet, CDFS has no features require emphasis. Firstly, Australia is an permanent, suitable staff or facility through which island continent. This may be regarded as the to command and control the ADF in time of central and most important factor in Australia's hostilities. defence, and because it is an island, Australia is vulnerable to two threats, invasion or blockade. Concurrent with these changes came the All other possibilities are lesser variations of these acknowledged realization that, given its economic two. These are universal and permanent factors circumstances, Australia is a regional, rather than 22 17 in any strategy which may be developed. In the a world, power. In comparison to regional coun- short term, Australia will be unable to reduce her tries, Australia's Gross National Product (GNP) economic or technological dependence on sea- and GNP per capita are still significantly higher borne trade; her strategies will be constrained by than those of many neighbouring countries. How- budgetary considerations; no external threat is ever, the percentage average GNP growth of the apparent, but her regional technological, econo- ASEAN countries for the decade 1970-80 was mic and industrial leadership will be challenged. higher by a factor of two in all cases but one; a factor of 4.6 applies in Singapore's case. Should this continue, Singapore's GNP per capita may Proposed naval strategy challenge Australia's by the middle of the 18 On close examination, Australia's aims decade. assumed earlier appear contradictory. Protecting Other changes in the economies of regional sovereignty could conflict with avoiding war, while countries which have implications for Australia's providing increasing standards of living could defence are the industrialization of ASEAN coun- conflict with maintaining cordial relations and with tries, particularly Singapore and the Republic of supporting poorer nations. Putting aside third Korea (ROK). The ROK claims that it is capable of parties, these aims can be translated to a military constructing all its military equipment under strategy of deterring a potential enemy, and, licence.19 Singapore is starting to develop high should the deterrent fail, winning the ensuing war. technology industries and could pose a serious To develop this military strategy into a naval challenge to Australia's current technological strategy for the next decade will require a closer advantage by the mid-1980s.20 These changes examination of the nature of deterrence and the are relevant because Australia's industry current- implications should it fail. ly has a limited capacity to support defence and An effective deterrent will have to convince a will require massive financial investment to match potential enemy that the effort required to achieve the ASEAN countries. Allied to these changes are an aim which is contrary to Australia's interests is the future, likely developments in technology not commensurate with the likely gain. The per- which will exert considerable influence in the ception of the potential enemy is of paramount military sphere by increasing the capability of importance in this concept, because ultimately it sensors and weapons, and improving automatic is he, who decides whether the deterrent is data processing and communications. Real effective. To this end deterrent forces are usually challenges to Australia's economic, technological highly visible and have a demonstrable capability.

Journal of the Australian Naval Institute — Page 15 During periods of low defence spending, the The strategies must be achievable within the economists' law of comparative advantage can total resources available. Australia must commit be usefully adapted to deterrence by not only enough resources to defence to deter, and if maximizing advantages and minimizing dis- necessary to win. The temptation to underspend advantages, but utilizing the concept of dis- on defence, particularly capital investment, in an proportionate response. 'Disproportionate effort to ameliorate the effects of the economic response' in this context means progressively recession must be resisted. If reductions in incorporating into the ADF those capabilities current expenditure are absolutely necessary and which will require a potential aggressor to providing the current threat assessments allow, respond disproportionate y in cost terms, in one or they should be achieved by reducing operating more of money, time, material or manpower, in costs. Capital expenditure now is necessary to order to gain an advantage.23 Ideally, because it safeguard the future. Delicate judgement must be is cheaper than entering some sort of arms race, made because too little defence expenditure or conflict with another nation, the deterrent might encourage adventurism on the part of an should prevent a threat from developing rather aggressor, too much might hinder economic than be a reaction to a perceived threat. recovery. That it is cheaper to prevent, rather than to Treaties are valuable sources, both quanti- react to threats is often overlooked, but within tatively and qualitatively, of additional resources, reasonable limits is obviously true. If a threat is but absolute reliance upon them is foolhardy. perceived where none oreviously existed, the Treaties are particularly relevant to deterrence, deterrent has failed to some extent and, more but Australia must strive for self-reliance. Aust- importantly, the threat rrust be countered. This ralia requires accurate intelligence in order to requires the allocation of more funds or a monitor threat developments and make the fine diversion of funds from Dther areas which may economic judgements necessary. Accurate in- expose an additional exploitable weakness and telligence requires adequate surveillance and encourage a new threat. reconnaissance, some of which is at present supplied through treaties and may not be avail- Deterrence is basically a defensive strategy. able in times of conflict. A greater self-sufficiency History cautions against a static defence, as does in high technology, surveillance and reconnais- Liddell Hart: sance should be a goal for the decade. 'Economy of force and deterrent effect are Command and control capabilities must be improved by the provision of a permanent facility best combined in the defensive — offensive method, based on a high mobility that carries and staff for CDFS. This requirement is particular- the power of quick riposte'.24 ly pertinent for the command of naval forces as they are often employed as deterrent forces, in This needs to be taken further. Being vulner- times of heightened tension, when strict control is able to blockade as well as invasion, Australia essential. Effective command and control, com- must be able to deter a potential enemy by being bined with accurate intelligence ensures that capable of both gaining and denying sea control. forces are at the right place at the right time and is If deterrence is to be successful the potential a significant force-multiplier. enemy must be convinced that Australia In order to accomplish the aim of promoting possesses capabilities to control the sea it needs peace and to support the stance for regional to control and to deny the sea it has to deny. stability, Australia should look to closer defence These are the fundamental, naval, deterrent links with regional countries. Provision of training requirements; they may, however, require cap- facilities should continue, while more combined abilities to project power or presence. exercises would provide an opportunity for better If the enemy is not convinced that Australia assessment of their military capabilities (and for possesses the capabilities to control the sea it them to assess ours), experience in working needs to and deny the sea it has to, deterrence together, and a signal to other, more distant will fail and conflict ensue. In this event Australia countries. would require a wide range of capabilities to As for specific capabilities, the strategy calls provide options in dealing with the same funda- for forces capable of performing the entire range mental threats by maintaining or denying sea of naval operations from open ocean defence and control. These almost ce'rtainly will require cap- offence in all three mediums, (sub-surface, abilities to project power and presence. The surface and above surface) to inshore sea denial, implementation of these and the necessary along with the logistical and technical support to superior, strategies for the coming decade back them up The platform from which each requires careful planning, in particular for the capability is provided, the numbers of platforms acquisition of the capital capabilities which and weapons are matters for continual assess- require long lead-times tc introduce into service. ment and are not pertinent here, but some guiding

Page 76 — Journal of the Australian Naval Institute tenets are. Mobility is one such tenet and requires 'Strategic Planning — Myth or Reality? — A Chief adequate afloat support. Versatility is another, Executive's View' in Long Range Planning. Pergamon Press Ltd, Great Britain, Vol 14 No 6, 1981, p 9 In their and implies multi-role, multi-environment cap- respective definitions, the first author places too much abilities. Interoperability both within the ADF and emphasis on current plans and near term goals, the second with allies is another, and finally Australia must on management of change. place more emphasis on self-reliance in both 6. Eccles, H.E. The Basic Elements of Strategy' in War Strategy and Maritime Power p 69. operations and support. 7. Sykes, J.B ed Concise Oxford Dictionary, Sixth Edition, p Conclusion 1138. 8. Liddell Hart. B.H. 'Strategy'. Praeger, New York, 1967, pp Strategy is a multi-tiered concept which fits 335-336 between the national aim and doctrine. It is con- 9. Eccles, H.E. opcitp71. tinually evolving as changing features are 10. Howard, M. The Forgotten Dimensions of Strategy' in Foreign Affairs. Summer 1979. p 978 assessed against the more enduring features of 11. Eccles. H.E. op citp 69 the defence environment. To be achieved, 12. Robertson, J.A. 'Fundamentals of Maritime Strategy1 in sufficient power must be available; thus when The Journal of the Australian Naval Institute. November resources are limited, strategy must be carefully 1978. 13. Liddell Hart, BH. op cit p 338 devised in order to prevent waste. Naval strategy 14. Zumwalt. E.R. 'On Watch'. Quadrangle/New York Times is concerned with control, that is maintaining or Book Co. New York. 1976, pp 60-61. denying sea control, projection and presence. 15. Rusbridge, P.J. 'Basic Defence Planning — Strategy1 in Australia, as a vast island continent, is Defence Force Journal. July/August 1979, p 5. 16. Australia's overseas trade totalled $38 Billion in 1980/81. of vulnerable to only two threats or lesser variations which approximately $2 Billion was transported in Aust- of them. The dimension of the threats is at present ralian ships. Source: 'Australia at a Glance', Australian imponderable but suitable strategies can be Bureau of Statistics, 1982 defined which accord to national aims. These are, 17. Recent OECD rating of GNP puts Australia eighth See 'Australia at a Glance', op cit. simply, to deter enemies, but, if necessary, to beat 18. 'Regional Performance Figures', in Far Eastern Economic them in war. The specific quantity and quality of Review Asia 1982 Yearbook, ed Punwani, H. South China equipments and capabilities is a matter of judge- Morning Post, Hong Kong, 1982, pp 8-9, quotes the ment not strategy, but that is much cheaper to Review. 19 Moon, K Sung. During a presentation at RANSC on 16 April deter than to have to fight, must be acknow- 1982 by Colonel Moon, (the ROK Defence Attache) this ledged. In the current defence environment, point was repeatedly made. Australia's naval strategy must be: 20. Several Speakers at RANSC have made this point 'to control the sea it needs to and to deny the 21. This assessment was used as the basis for the 1976 Defence White Paper and has been re-affirmed repeatedly sea it has to'. since. 22. Rusbridge, P.J. op citp 45. 23. Ball, D. and Langtry, J.O. 'Development of Australias Defence Force Structure — An Alternative Approach' in NOTES AND ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Pacific Defense Reporter. Young P, Sydney NSW, Sep- tember 1979, p 10. 1 Kitney, G. The Myth of a Depression', in The National 24 Liddell Hart. B.H. op citp 368 Times. 18to24 April 1982, p 39 and 41. 2 Cowan, Sir Zelman. Australia Day Address. 26 January BIBLIOGRAPHY 1982. In this address Sir Zelman made a plea for consensus which he described as 'agreement on fundamentals.' 1. The Balmoral Papers', Journal of the Royal Australian 3. For a detailed discussion of the relationship between Naval Staff College. RAN Staff College. Balmoral. 1982 Maritime Power, Seapower and Seaforce (Navy) see 2. Liddell Hart, B.H.. 'Strategy' Praeger. New York, 1967 Reitzel. W Mahan on the Use of the Sea' in War. Strategy 3. Lorange, P. Vanal. R.F Strategic Planning System. and Maritime Power, ed Mitchell Simpson, B. pp 105-106. Prentice Hall, New Jersey. 1977. 4. This is consistent with the definition of Seapower put 4. Mitchell Ford. T. 'Strategic Planning — Myth of Reality? — A forward by, Bull, H 'Seapower and Political Influence' in Chief Executive's View' in Longe Range Planning, Adelphi Paper 122.pt. Pergamon Press, Great Britain, Vol 14 No6, 1981 5 Lorange, P. Vancil, RF Strategic Planning System. 5 Zumwalt, E.R.. On Watch . Quadrangle/New York Times Prentice Hall Inc, New Jersey, 1977; and Mitchell Ford, T. Book Co., New York. 1976.

iro

Journal of the Australian Naval Institute — Page 17 Plessey Mk 8 displays fitted In the Operations Room of HMS Invincible. Plessey Electronic Defence Systems for total capability in detection and communication The Plessey role In defence is built on the provision of equipment and systems for detection, information processing, display instrumentation and communications. A total capability derived from continuing research and development worldwide into NSW: Faraday Park, Railway Road, advanced technologies and system design. Meadowbank 2114 Telephone 8070463 Experience as prime contractors and Telex 21471 project managers enables Plessey Australia, ACT: Suite 18, Level 4, Wales Centre, Civic to take full responsibility for systems Square, Canberra 2600 Telephone 47 7483 engineering, equipment, supply, installation, commissioning and Ire-cycle support. Electronic Systems for Defence-from Plessey. PLESSEY

Page 18 — Journal of the Australian Naval Institute A SMALL SHIP VIEW OF THE BATTLE OF THE ATLANTIC

By Michael Thwaites

This article in based on an address to the Canberra Chapter on 27 April 1982.

In March 1943 while on passage from Recife, against the projected German invasion of Brazil, to Freetown, West Africa, HMS WAST- England. I recall idyllic summer days in the WATER, of which I was First Lieutenant, picked up picture-book harbour of Dartmouth. By night we 66 survivors in two boats from the torpedoed patrolled, prepared to sell our lives dearly, armed refrigerator-ship SS CELTIC STAR, on her way to with a four-inch gun and fifty rounds, two Lewis collect a cargo of Argentine beef. One of the guns, and boxes of grenades for use against survivors was a Sergeant of Marines bound for landing barges. Fortunately the RAF's devas- the Falkland Islands garrison. Another was a tation of Goering's daylight bomber fleets, and British diplomat who had actually had Christmas Hitler's belief that he could do a deal with isolated dinner in our wardroom in Iceland more than a Britain, caused him to call off the invasion plan year before. Posted to South America, he had lost (Operation 'Sea-Lion'). all his kit except the green silk pyjamas he was We returned to the Atlantic, and to what wearing when the torpedo struck. As he stepped Churchill confessed to be the one thing that really onto our deck, he remarked "The last two days frightened him throughout the war — the U-boat have given me an idea that will make my fortune campaign to cut Britain's vital supply link with the when we get back to peace — upholstered seats USA. Doenitz agreed. Starting with only 40 oper- for ship's life-boats." The cheer we got from the rational U-boats, he claimed that with twice that two boats in mid-Atlantic was unforgettable. number he could have brought Britain to her Such rescues were among the functions per- knees in the early stages of the war. Several times formed by trawlers. WASTWATER. a converted subsequently Germany seemed very close to whale-chaser, was equivalent to the many larger achieving that aim. trawlers which gave valuable service not as mine- My title, A Small Ship View of the Battle of the sweepers but as anti-submarine and patrol Atlantic, is a deliberate choice. I would sum up our vessels throughout World War Two. They could, situation through most of those six years as an and did, stay at sea in weather that forced intimate acquaintance with particular aspects and destroyers to retire. Smaller and distinctly less situations, and a profound ignorance of the broad Naval in appearance than corvettes, they were sweep and strategic progress of the campaign. useful work-horses in all sorts of ways. The first No doubt the full facts were known to relatively German U-Boat I sighted, the captured U-550. few at the time. Many vital secrets have only been was being escorted back from Iceland by a disclosed recently. For the general picture we trawler. My first ship, the trawler NORTHERN were almost as dependent as the civil population DAWN, had been in the Norway Campaign, and on BBC reports. It was the BBC news that report- when I joined her, was escorting convoys 500 ed dramatic incidents like the Battle of the River miles into the Atlantic from Northern Ireland. I Plate, the loss of the ROYAL OAK, the sinkings of spent a whole year on convoy escorting, in the the HOOD and the BISMARCK, the self-sacrifice Atlantic and North Sea, before seeing any enemy of the JERVIS BAY which saved most of Convoy action Then the attack had similarities with recent HX84 from destruction by the pocket battleship actions in the Falklands At sunset, off Aberdeen, ADMIRAL SCHEER (However, in writing my German sea-planes from Stavangar, Norway, ballad on this gallant action I was later allowed coming in at mast height, bombed and set fire to access to Admiralty records.) the Commodore's ship SS FORTHBANK. The Perhaps the most striking example of the bridge and all its personnel were blown over the ignorance of active participants about vital side — the plane itself was hit by Lewis gun fire, developments affecting the whole future of the and dived into the sea. As the FORTHBANK's campaign occurred in the Intelligence War. On 8 pumps had been damaged, we went alongside May 1941 the U-boat U110 was captured with her (not without apprehensions) and supplied hoses code-books and ENIGMA cypher machine intact which succeeded in putting out the fire. This event was successfully concealed from the After the fall of France and Dunkirk evacu- Germans; and from that time onward U-boat ation, we and other trawlers were among the Command signals remained an Achilles heel for meagre forces posted to defend the Channel the German war at sea. It was also quote

Journal of the Australian Naval Institute — Page 19 unknown to most operational personnel like In a year and eight months absence from home ourselves. Indeed the "Ultra" breakthrough waters we almost circumnavigated the Atlantic. remained a secret from most of us for another 30 With a total complement of thirty-two, includ- years. ing four Officers, very much obviously depended Trawlers played a vital part in a sector of the on the capacity of such a small wandering anti-U-boat campaign which is not widely company to maintain its cohesion and morale appreciated, although its advent was publicly under the most varied circumstances. In this area, announced on the other side of the Atlantic. Early the extraordinary variety of our company, from all in 1942 the American press reported the arrival of quarters of the British Isles, speaking what were "thirty-five rusty British trawlers" to help defend almost different languages, proved an asset, and America's east coast. WASTWATER was among a source of much merriment, as various these 35 (though, even after a winter of Arctic 'Characters' became recognized, and very little convoys around Iceland we indignantly rejected occurred that was not known round the ship. the accusation of "rusty"). They had been lent by Morale tended to slump when, as once happened, Britain to the USA to meet a truly alarming we were four months without any mail from home situation. When the Japanese attack at Pearl (far nearer to the situation of 19th Century Harbour projected America into the war, almost migrants than to modern astronauts in radio every anti-submarine vessel in the US Navy was communication from the Moon). hurried to the Pacific. With no effective deter- Perhaps the greatest concept in any small rence, German U-boats revelled in a "happy ship's company — one concept which technology time". One U-boat surfaced and sank a ship by has not outdated — was the realization, too shell-fire in sight of crowds bathing at Virginia obvious even to need mentioning, that whatever Beach Nearly 200 ships; were sunk in the first happened we should all sink or swim together. We year, including many tankers coming from the also discovered a human heart-beat buried some- Carribean with fuel vital to Britain's war effort. We where among the masters of our fate in the distant and our sister-ship BUTTERMERE were sent Admiralty. In response to letters of appeal from from Iceland and found that we were to be based our two Captains, pointing out the length of our in New York. As we steamed up the harbour with overseas service, and the effect on morale if this Battery Point skyscrapers gleaming in crisp continued even longer, relief crews for WAST- Spring sunshine, our 18 year old "Guns", polish- WATER and BUTTERMERE arrived at Freetown, ing his veteran 4 inch gun, exclaimed to an and we travelled back to Britain, as passengers, unheeding continent 'Courage America; help is for leave with our homes and families, before on the way!' His flourisn had truth as well as posting to our next various assignments in the poetry Heavy sinkings continued, until the struggle that only ended with the defeat of reluctance of US Admiral King to introduce a Germany and Japan. convoy system was overcome. By the end of June convoys, operating in stages in daylight hours, with the British trawlers &s the main escorts, had been organized to cover America's East Coast. The figures told their own story — 128 ships sunk in the first quarter of 1942, 21 in the second quarter, and no losses for the rest of the year. As far as I know only one trawler claimed an actual U-boat sinking; but the U-boats moved to other areas; and at least that section of the supply route ceased to be a happy theatre of operation for them With a top speed of 13 knots, WASTWATER, and trawlers like her, were far from ideal U-boat hunters Nevertheless her armament of one 4- inch gun, ASDIC equipment (SONAR) and fifty depth charges (sufficient for 10 diamond-pattern attacks) and her manoeuvrability and sea-worthy qualities, made her useful for anti-submarine escort and patrol duties. These qualities did not qualify us for Fleet operations, but did lead to interestingly-varied assignments, including escort of a floating dock under tow, escort of a cable-repair ship, showing the flag in Santo Domingo, patrolling off Trinidad, two months in Recife, Brazil, and convoy escort out of Freetown

Page 20 — Journal of the Australian Naval Institute This essay won one of the major prizes in the 1981 Peter Mitchell Trust Essay Competition and is published with the permission of the Chief of the Naval Staff. The views expressed by the author are his own and are not to be construed as being those of the Australian Government, the Department of Defence, the Chief of the Naval Staff or the Austral/an Naval Institute. Copyright of this article is owned by the Chief of the Naval Staff. THE RELEVANCE OF GUNBOAT DIPLOMACY IN THE 1980s

By Commander R. Burgess RAN

'We have no more reason to believe the days continuing existence. Luttwak claims that the of "gunboat diplomacy" are over than to believe United States Navy alone has used naval suasion that the threat of force will not be used on land or in on more than 70 occasions since 19454. Cable, a the air'.1 strong advocate for the retention of gunboat Throughout the latter half of the nineteenth diplomacy as the descriptive term, lists over 60 century, the Royal Navy served as the major occurrences in the 1970s. However, the mere instrument of foreign policy for successive British existence of the practice is insufficient justification governments. In an era when political significance for considering that its continued use in the 1980s was attached to any naval development, be it that is relevant to the conduct of international of a single ship or of the whole Grand Fleet, the diplomacy. use of naval forces to exert political pressure gave rise to the term gunboat diplomacy, a term which The Nature of Gunboat Diplomacy was to become firmly associated with Victorian imperialism and all that it represented. Definition Millar's statement in the epigraph of this Preston and Major very successfully en- essay not only supports the notion that gunboat capsulate the principal characteristics of gunboat diplomacy is alive and well but it also considers diplomacy in their concise definition, which states: that its use will continue. However, his decision to 'Gunboat diplomacy is the use of warships in place the term in quotation marks perhaps reflects peacetime to further a nation's diplomatic or 5 some of the uncertainties and controversy in- political aims.' The three essential elements of herent in its use. A mixed reaction is evoked from gunboat diplomacy contained in this definition are writers and students of naval strategy and inter- the tool (warships), the time element (peacetime) national diplomacy whenever the label is applied and the purpose (achieving diplomatic or political to twentieth century naval activities. Reactions aim). These three elements are similarly de- vary from outright rejection of the term on manded in the more complex definition by Cable, the basis that gunboat diplomacy is an ana- who states that: chronism2, partial rejection based on the range of 'Gunboat diplomacy is the use or threat of activities now being associated with the term,3 to limited naval force other than as an act of full acceptance of the term in its broadest sense. war, in order to secure advantage, or to avert Despite the objections to its use, the under- loss, either in the furtherance of an inter- lying concept of using sea power for diplomatic national dispute or else against foreign nationals within the territory or the jurisdiction purposes lives on, sometimes retaining the 6 gunboat diplomacy label (with or without quo- of their own state.' tation marks) but often appearing under the The only additional element in Cable's definion is banner of naval diplomacy or naval suasion, the requirement that the 'victim' of gunboat terms which are, on closer inspection, basically diplomacy be a foreign national and the site of the synonymous with gunboat diplomacy. action be on the foreigner's home grounds. Was gunboat diplomacy merely a nineteenth A major difficulty in applying the definition is century aberration, or does it live on, either under in assessing what specific uses or threatened its own name or that of an alias? If the term naval uses of warships (limited naval force) constitute suasion is accepted as being synonomous with gunboat diplomacy. One reason why the term has gunboat diplomacy then evidence suggests its fallen into some disrepute has been the tendency

Journal of the Australian Naval Institute — Page 21 to include virtually all peacetime naval activities Gunboat diplomacy as a peacetime activity relating to foreign nationals or territory. Although The second characteristic common to both 'show the flag' visits to foreign ports may be definitions is that gunboat diplomacy is a peace- motivated by diplomatic or political factors, the time activity. If a state of war exists at the time of lack of 'threat' involved in most of them should the occurrence, then it is only gunboat diplomacy determine their exclusion from consideration. if the victim is either an ally or a neutral on whom However, as Admiral Gorshkov points out, war- pressure is being applied. If the act of diplomacy ships are an extension of the state, operating with results in war then the act has obviously failed — the full authority of the state, and as such, any 7 actions short of war are a must for gunboat action will have diplomat c connotations. diplomacy. A major problem arises from the difficulty in classifying peace and war. Since World War II, the last 'declared' war, there have been in excess of 50 conflicts, some major The vehicle of gunboat diplomacy (Korea, Vietnam), some minor (Angola, Bangla- Less difficulty is experienced in accepting the desh, East Timor) for which there have been no vehicle or tool of gunooat diplomacy. Ready formal declarations of war. Cable tries to over- acceptance is given to the lack of restriction on come the problem by insisting that the aim must class of ship used, or the number of ships used, be to obtain a specific advantage without the and the fact that action by a gunboat does not action resulting either in injury or damage to the necessarily constitute an act of gunboat diplo- victim unrelated to the advantage being sought, or macy. That gunboat diplomacy may be carried out in the victim attempting to inflict injury after the by vessels other than those designated by class original aim has been achieved or abandoned. as gunboats is well illustrated by McGwire when he quotes Nikita Krushchev as saying on a visit to Egypt in 1964: '. . . the imperialists want, with the aid of aircraft carrier diplomacy, to restore re- The aim of gunboat diplomacy actionary regimes in the countries of Asia and The purpose behind an act of gunboat Africa.'8 diplomacy must be to apply pressure to further the In the days of 'true' gunboat diplomacy, a foreign policy objectives of the home country or single gunboat was generally considered suffi- those of an ally or client with compatible foreign cient to influence the course of events. The single policy objectives. Booth, to whom current usage vessel was interpreted as merely a representative of the term gunboat diplomacy is an anathema10 of a greater force which could be brought to bear if (he prefers the term naval diplomacy), presents circumstances demanced it. In more recent the functions of a navy as a trinity of roles, one of years, the rule, rather than the exception, has which is the diplomatic role. He defines this as been to employ a task force rather than a single follows: The diplomatic role of navies is con- ship when pressure was considered necessary. cerned with the management of foreign policy Cable cites the US as being not only the most short of actual employment of force'11 This frequent user of gunboat diplomacy in the 1970s association between the navy and foreign policy but also the most lavish) user — of 12 incidents is echoed by Gorshkov: The growing sea might of involving the USN as assailant, 10 involved the our country ensures the successful conduct of its use of a one-carrier task force.9 foreign policy.'12 Gorshkov gives further recogni- Although most authorities recognize that tion to the political aim of naval diplomacy when armed diplomacy can be carried out by land he states: based forces as well as naval forces, they also 'Demonstrative actions by the fleet in many acknowledge that nava forces possess several cases have made it possible to achieve advantages over the other Service arms, ad- political ends without resorting to armed vantages which make the employment of naval struggle, merely by putting on pressure with forces in a diplomatic role more likely than that of one's own potential military might and land based forces. Admiral Gorshkov attributes threatening to start military operations.'13 several properties to naval forces which enhance their ability to carry out tne diplomatic role These include a constant state of readiness, mobility, ability to concentrate force, and their state of Nature of the victim neutrality while on the open sea. Other character- In his definition of gunboat diplomacy, Cable istics favoured by Luttwak include flexibility and insists that the victims must be foreigners within operational range. Naval forces have a greater their own territory or in territory under their ability to 'draw back' if the situation demands such government's jurisdiction. Such an inclusion in action. Withdrawal of land forces, particularly if the definition ensures the exclusion of civil war lodged across other tnan a common border, situations involving the use of naval forces poses severe restraints on their use. against one's own nationals.

Page 22 — Journal of the Ausli al/an Naval Institute Recent Examples of Gunboat Diplomacy Fleet exercises had been deliberately planned for the disputed area to reinforce the US contention Despite objections to the continued use of that the territorial claim was absurd and not the term, activities which might be termed gun- binding on the US. What began as speculation, boat diplomacy have occurred throughout the first assumes considerable credibility when the words seven decades of the twentieth century. For of Vice Admiral W.H. Rowden, Commander of the example, 6 July 1977, the British Government Sixth Fleet, are added. He was quoted in the New despatched a single warship, the destroyer HMS York Times as saying that the exercise was ACHILLES, to the Central American British colony intended to counter Libya's eight year claim over of Belize. The deployment was in response to a the Gulf of Sidra and was designed 'as a demon- massing of Guatemalan troops on the border with stration of our ability to employ freedom of Belize in support of a renewal of Guatemalan navigation in international waters.'16 Once again, claims to Belize. These claims had previously led the ingredients of gunboat diplomacy, on a to a breakdown of diplomatic relations between grander scale, were in evidence. Naval forces, in Britain and Guatemala in 1963 and to two this case a carrier task force, were employed in previous occasions (1972 and 1975) when RN peacetime against foreigners (Libyans) to pursue warships were sent to Belize. As in 1972 and a limited diplomatic objective (demonstrate US 1975, the 1977 deployment resulted in a resolve). reduction in the seriousness of the situation. Renewed demands by Guatemala in the weeks The Future of Gunboat Diplomacy leading up to the granting of independence to Belize (September 1981) has resulted in yet The actions of the USN off Libya and the another RN deployment to the area. The symbolic Soviet Navy off Poland add support to Millar's nature of the deployments, with their inherent contention that gunboat diplomacy will continue to promise of support in depth, has previously be used. He is supported in this view by Preston succeeded in quieting Guatemalan demands. All and Major who, in the context of future use by Britain claim that: of the ingredients of gunboat diplomacy — use of warships (HMS ACHILLES) in peacetime to 'Despite gloomy predictions for the Royal achieve a diplomatic objective (defusing of Navy, the principles of gunboat diplomacy threatened military action) against a foreign will remain valid for the future. Gunboating will last as long as any power continues to power (Guatemala) - - were present in this 17 occurrence. adopt a maritime strategy in peacetime.' Recent acts suggest that there is a future for On 12 August 1981, at the height of the gunboat diplomacy — what remains in doubt is Polish dissident crises, the largest Soviet naval the nature of that future. Are acts of gunboat manoeuvres ever conducted off the coast of diplomacy more likely to result in failure than Poland got underway. The exercises, involving 17 success? If failure becomes the more common major surface ships, culminated in a large scale outcome, the resulting loss of face which accom- amphibious landing on the Soviet side of the panies failure may result in a reduced frequency border with Poland. Although both the Soviet of application and a consequent reduction in its Union and the US Department of Defense have relevance in international relations. claimed, or expressed the view, that the exercises were unrelated to events in Poland, speculation Constraints on gunboat diplomacy has occurred that the massive show of naval force In its formative years, gunboat diplomacy and amphibious capabilities was intended, in part was applied with few restrictions. The navies of at least, to influence the deliberations of the the European colonial powers and the US were leaders and rank and file members of the able to carry out acts of naval diplomacy with Solidarity trade union movement. However, pro- impunity. In the second half of the twentieth positions considered, and resolutions passed, by century, however, there are increasing con- the Solidarity Congress in mid-September straints being placed on its potential perpetrators suggested that the pressure had had little effect. No longer can gunboat diplomacy be considered as the most logical action to implement when an On 20 August 1981, elements of the US Sixth international dispute arises. Now. the possible Fleet were conducting exercises in the Gulf of consequences must be weighed carefully against Sidra, an area claimed as territorial waters by possible gains before a decision can be taken Libya but considered by the US to be international Perhaps the most effective constraints on the waters. The reported Libyan response to this 'muscle-flexing' activities of the major powers presence was for two of its fighter aircraft to open have been the post war changes in political fire on patrolling F-14 aircraft from the USS balance. These changes have included decolon- NIMITZ, a response which resulted in the ization, polarization into East and West camps, downing of the Libyan SU-22 fighters. Since the the growing influence of the Third World bloc and event, speculation has been rife14 15 that the US the formation of the United Nations.

Journal of the Australian Naval Institute — Page 23 With the processes cf decolonization all but widespread presence or conveniently located complete, the most common victim of Western forward bases which would permit a limited imperialist gunboat diplomacy is fast disappear- number of ships to exert influence over a wide ing. To some extent, Western imperialism has area. Only the US and Soviet navies possess been replaced by Soviet imperialism, and its need either or both of these requirements, so only they to keep its satellites under control has added a have the capability to project their influence on a new dimension to gunboat diplomacy, eg Poland global scale. in August-September 1981. Successful gunboat diplomacy can often be The polarization of nations into two relatively attributed to the element of surprise which equal armed camps has further inhibited the minimises the time available for the victim to action of many countries in their application of marshall an effective response to the threat posed naval diplomacy. Action cirected against a client by the gunboater. Improvements in detection or ally of one of the major powers is certain to equipment have now reduced the possibility of result in a call for help to, and a response from, the surprise being achieved. In addition, the avail- appropriate big power sponsor. An example of ability of relatively cheap defensive weapons this can be seen in events associated with the (mines, coastal artillery and missile carrying fast secession of Bangladesh in 1971. US concern patrol boats) has increased the hazards to the over possible escalation of the resulting Indo- would be assailant after he has been detected Pakistan conflict led to the deployment of a US Task Force in the Bay of Bengal. India, inter- The achievement of diplomatic aims preting this deployment as undue pressure on The future use of gunboat diplomacy is likely her, called on the Soviet Union for support, to be determined less by a nation's capability to support which was subsequently provided in the project diplomacy through its naval forces than by form of a Soviet naval task force. The possibility of its effectiveness in comparison with other means such confrontations between the major powers of achieving the objective. The most simple must serve to inhibit the application of gunboat means of solving a dispute between two countries diplomacy in circumstances likely to bring about a is for one of them to withdraw from the dispute. call and response for assistance. It also serves to Such a decision would be based on economic inhibit the response of the major powers to a call factors (what is it worth) and political factors, both for help. internal and external, eg loss of face both home Although polarization has been the major and abroad. factor in establishing the present power balance, If, after considering the cost, the decision is the emergence of the Third World bloc as an made to pursue the claims underlying the dispute, influential force in interna:ional politics cannot be several options present themselves as paths to ignored. Although not aale to always (if ever) the solution. At one extreme is the pursuit of a provide a unified front, the1 Third World does have solution through direct bilateral negotiation the potential, through its combined voting power between the parties in dispute; at the other is all in world bodies such as the United Nations, to out war. Between these two extremes are the provide support for individual members who may alternatives of third party involvement in negotia- be confronted by acts of gunboat diplomacy or tions and the application of military force short of other political pressure. The limitations to the war. influence of this group are, however, evident in its In a near perfect world, international differ- failure to have any effect on the Soviet Union ences would be resolved by the opposing parties following the invasion of Afghanistan in 1979. reaching agreement through bilateral negotiation However, the same factors, economic and The creation of the Jnited Nations in 1945 political, which were considered when deciding provided an international forum to which aggriev- whether or not to pursue the claims, serve to ed parties could appeal for assistance against, or inhibit the reaching of a solution in this way. Such condemnation of, an assailant responsible for failure can, and often does, lead to the present- acts of aggression such as those associated with ation of the problem to international bodies such gunboat diplomacy. The effectiveness of the UN as the United Nations Security Council. General to respond to such appeals has been effectively Assembly or International Court of Justice. curtailed by the veto provisions applying in the However, even if the problems of polarization and Security Council. veto provisions could be overcome and a decision Added to the constraints imposed by post reached, implementation of the decision is deter- World War II political changes are a number of mined by the willingness of the parties involved to physical constraints. The effectiveness of gun- accept the decision. boat diplomacy has often been dependent on the The rejection of negotiation as an option, or characteristics of rapid response and surprise. To its failure to resolve the problem, places the achieve the former, there needs to be either a fleet participant seeking to gain from the dispute in a of sufficient size to permit both a continuous and position of reduced options, one of which is to

Psge 24 — Journal of the Australian Naval Institute engage in a full scale military conflict. Even the ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS most irresponsible state would be reluctant to 1. Millar T.B. The Indian and Pacific Oceans: Some Strategic take this step because of the ever increasing cost, Considerations'. Adelphi Paper. No. 57. London, 1969 pp in both physical and human terms, of war. 4.5. The remaining option is to walk a diplomatic 2 McGwire M.. Booth K. et al. Soviet Naval Policy Objectives tightrope and seek to apply sufficient military force and Constraints. New York. 1976. p371. 3 Cable J Gunboat Diplomacy 1919-1979. 2nd Ed. London, to achieve an advantage in subsequent negotia- 1981. p26. tions without inducing an escalation in the level of 4 Luttwak E.N. The Political Uses of Seapower Baltimore, military input either from the victim or a third 1974 p12. country. For reasons outlined, the application of 5. Preston A. and Major J Send a Gunboat. London, 1967. p 3. limited force to achieve a diplomatic objective is 6. Cable J. Gunboat Diplomacy ... p 39. best left to naval forces. Such an application is 7. Gorshkov Admiral S.G. The Sea Power and the State. clearly gunboat diplomacy. Oxford 1979. p 58. 8. McGwire et al. Soviet Naval Policy p 25. 9 Cable J. Gunboat Diplomacy ... p 19. 10. McGwire et al. Soviet Naval Policy . . . p 371 11. Booth K. Navies and Foreign Policy. London, 1977 p 16 12. Gorshkov. The Sea Power and the State, p 58. Conclusion 13. Gorshkov. The Sea Power and the State, p 248 14. Boston Globe. Editorial. 21 August 1981. The term gunboat diplomacy was coined in 15. Baltimore Sun. Editorial. 23 August 1981. the latter half of the nineteenth century to en- 16. New York Times, 25 August 1981 p 1 compass peacetime acts carried out by naval 17. Preston A. and Major J. Send a Gunboat, p 187. vessels seeking to achieve diplomatic or political objectives. To some naval strategists the term, and all it stood for, lost its relevance with the BIBLIOGRAPHY passing of Victorian imperialism; to others it became a convenient heading under which to list all peacetime naval activities; others supported Booth K. Navies and Foreign Policy Crook Helm, London, 1977. Cable J. Gunboat Diplomacy 1919-1979. 2nd Edit MacMillan, continuance of the concept but preferred alterna- London, 1981. tive terminology such as naval diplomacy and Garrison D.J, The United States Navy Praeger, New York, naval suasion; and yet another group sought to 1968. retain the original term for a specific range of Fairhall D. Russia looks to the Sea Andre Deutsch, London. 1971. naval acts committed in peacetime. George J.L (ed) Problems of Sea Power as We Approach the Even those who seek to relegate gunboat C21. American Enterprise Institute for Public Policy diplomacy to the annals of history acknowledge a Research, Washington. 1978 continuing role for military forces in general, and Gorshkov Admiral S.G. The Sea Power of the State Pergamon Press, Oxford, 1979 naval forces in particular, in international Kohli S.N Sea Power and the Indian Ocean Tata McGraw Hill, diplomacy. This role continues despite increasing New Delhi, 1978. obstacles to its use, obstacles such as inter- Luttwak E.N The Political Uses of Sea Power, John Hopkins national polarization, pressure through inter- University Press. Baltimore, 1974. McGwire M., Booth K. and McDonnell J. (eds) Soviet Naval national forums, and a growing capability of even Policy Objectives and Constraints. Praeger, New York, small nations to deter potential assailants. 1976. Despite the increased constraints being im- Millar T B The Indian and Pacific Oceans: Some Strategic posed on the use of any form of military Considerations Adelphi Paper No 57, London, 1969 Moore J, Sea Power and Politics Weidenfold and Nicolson, diplomacy, there has not been any significant London, 1979. decrease in its application. Nations in dispute are Morris E The Russian Navy: Myth and Reality Hamish increasingly faced with the prospect of failure to Hamilton, London, 1977. reach solutions through either bilateral negotia- Preston A and Major J Send a Gunboat Longmans, London. 1967 tion or negotiation in international forums, and with the prospect of widespread condemnation or possible escalation if they resort to limited warfare to achieve their aims. Under such circumstances, the actions of nations with the capacity to achieve their objectives by exploiting naval force short of war is very understandable. Condemnation may still follow but at a lesser intensity than that which would follow a full scale military operation. For as long as the options remain as limited as they are, gunboat diplomacy will remain an important means of achieving diplomatic aims and, as a consequence, will remain relevant throughout the 1980s.

Journal of the Australian Naval Institute — Page 25 BEING THERE IS t

Sea Harrier can be airborne within two minutes of alarm with the latest <;tate-of-the-art weapons. With ski-jump it can launch with substantially greater range and armament loads. On-going ddvances in Sea Harrier technologies ensure performance improvements to take it into the 1990s. Sea Harrier's sortie performance is ^^ in h,gh level alr ulready impressive. ^^ ^ comba, pa «0| SeQ Hamer armed with two 30mm guns and " air-to-air missiles can loiter for • hours at 100 n.mi from ship with reserves for 3 minute combat F c G In high level reconnaissance and low F level probe its radius of action is 450 n.mi. In one hour at low level Sea Harrier can survey an area in the order of 20,000 sq/n.mi. with camera, mtra-red viewing devices and radar

In shipping strike it has a radius of action to missile launch point of 280 n mi ALF THE BATTLE

oes almost without saying that the protection of Australia's sea lanes is basic ts security. st of the world's energy minerals, manufactured goods and commodities are ried by sea. Ih Sea Harrier, small ships as well as small carriers, and platform ships viously limited to helicopter operation, can now have fixed wing V/STOL :raft capability. safer numbers of smaller, less expensive V/STOL ships can disperse and can ition tactical air power where it's needed to protect Australian interests both at and at locations beyond the effective range of land-based air power. w, and in the decades ahead, Australia's best forward defence is Sea Harrier )d-wing tactical airpower at sea.

V/STOL IN SHIPS HARRIER

ITISH AEFTOSfACE tf&ct fftjts "irough Division, Kingston upon Thames, England Represented by 3H AEROSPACE AUSTRALIA LIMITED 55 Macquarie ^LSydney, N.S.W. MV NORLAND, Falkland Force. Courtesy James Goss

ST HELENA, Fa/Wands Force. — Courtesy James Goss

Page 28 — Journal of the Austral-an Naval Institute GUNBOAT DIPLOMACY AND THE FALKLANDS CONFLICT

The Relevance of Gunboat Diplomacy in the The failure of negotiations may result in 1980s was written before the long running either maintenance of the status quo or resort to dispute between the UK and Argentina over the military force. An event which precipated the Falkland Islands erupted into physical confront- Argentine choice of the latter option was the ation. I have since been asked to relate the British reaction to the action of Argentine scrap conclusions reached in the essay to events in the metal workers in raising their country's flag in Falklands. South Georgia. This action resulted initially in what might be termed an example of gunboat In the section headed The Achievement of diplomacy when the only British ship in the area, Diplomatic Aims' I proposed a series of steps an ice-patrol vessel, was despatched to South which might be taken by disputing parties in order Georgia to 'show the flag' and warn off the to find a solution to the dispute. One proposed Argentinians. The significance of this act was option was for one party to withdraw from the apparently lost on the Argentinians who either dispute after due consideration of the economic failed to interpret the single vessel as a token of and political cost of both pursuing its claim and the British force which could be brought to bear or withdrawing from it. There have been reports underestimated that potential threat. Either way. that the UK may have eventually conceded the attempt at gunboat diplomacy failed. sovereignty of the Falklands to Argentina but such Following the invasion and the refusal by a move was pre-empted by the Argentine Argentina to accept Resolution 502, the mar- invasion. shalling and later despatch of the British task If neither party is prepared to withdraw its force represented a further example of gunboat claim, continued bilateral negotiations need to diplomacy, albeit on a very large scale The initial proceed to overcome the differences which purpose of the task force was to apply consider- brought the dispute into being. Such negotiations able pressure on Argentina while firstly. US have been carried out since mid 1960 following a Secretary of State Haig, and later UN Secretary UN General Assembly request for the two parties General de Cuellar, attempted to negotiate a to discuss the problem. These discussions were settlement The failure of negotiations represent- intensified after 1977 and they canvassed several ed a further loss of credibility of gunboat alternatives involving transfer of sovereignty. One diplomacy as a diplomatic tool. Once again, the alternative, a 'Hong Kong' solution, in which failure may be attributed to an inaccurate sovereignty would pass to Argentina with a lease- assessment of the resolve of the victim to back arrangement, appears to have gained some continue with its chosen course of action acceptance by the two parties, but was vetoed by Does the failure of gunboat diplomacy in the the Falkland Islanders. Falklands serve as an indication that it is no longer relevant9 I think not. What it has served to do is to When bilateral negotiations remain dead- reinforce the need for more realistic assessment locked, a further avenue for resolving disputes is of the likely reaction of the potential victim. In both to refer the dispute for arbitration by an inter- of the affected nations, political and economic national body such as the International Court of factors dictated that there could be no backing Justice or the United Nations. Argentina re- down once a course of action was proclaimed. In peatedly refused invitations to take its case to the other circumstances, with other nations involved, ICJ and it is doubtful whether she would have the threat inherent in the application of gunboat abided by any unfavourable decision if that body diplomacy may have proved sufficient to force the had considered the matter. This assumption is victim to reconsider its stand. Gunboat diplomacy borne out by Argentina's refusal to respect UN is not a panacea to disputes defying negotiated Security Council Resolution 502 which ordered settlement, it is merely a tool which can be used the withdrawal of Argentine forces from the when circumstances indicate it has a fair chance Falklands the day after occupation of the islands. of success.

Journal of the Australian Naval Institute — Page 29 HMS HERMES — Courtesy James Goss

i ^

•• • -'•

HMS INVINCIBLE — Courtesy James Goss

Page 30 — Journal of the Australian Naval Institute INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS TRAINING FOR MIDDLE RANKING OFFICERS IN THE RAN — INTRODUCTION INTO THE RAN STAFF COLLEGE

By Mr C.Evans

(The Editorial Committee would welcome members' views on the subject of Industrial Relations Training of all RAN Officers, not just those attending the RAN Staff College).

It is a popular opinion of Navy Service subordinates for effective command if the personnel that industry and in particular the commander is killed or removed as a result of Dockyard are in the grips of the unions. What is of military action. Military organizations reflect a more concern is that the answers to our industrial wide range of training needs which are compli- problems are frequently seen as 'bashing' the cated by changes in technology and bring unions or undertaking tasks with uniformed together both skill and collective operational personnel when civilian staff withdraw their needs, geared for differing emphasis on both labour, slow down or disrupt work rates for various government and higher military commands as reasons. they pass from a peace to a war footing. The western industrialised world is now There is a danger, however, in restricting experiencing a period of rapid social and techno- training to the acquisition and use of military skills. logical change and if managements in civilian or The need for drawing on the experience and skills the Service environment are to maintain effective of other professions is being recognised, but care control, there is a need to understand and is needed to ensure lessons learned are properly anticipate changing policy initiatives in 'employer- exercised. It is not sufficient to apply new skills employee' relations, and not simply react to and experience only to military matters: the external pressure. military must learn and apply new skills in their A prime vehicle for preparing the future dealings external to the Service, and one such senior officers of our Navy is the RAN Staff area is the field of industrial relations. College (RANSC) where a current and compre- Service officers are primarily concerned with hensive industrial relations appreciation should the leadership of fighting men which calls for be introduced for middle ranking officers. The qualities of command. At the more senior level, an Chief of Naval Technical Services in question officer is involved where military affairs, politics, time following his address to the RAN Staff science, social and industrial matters overlap and College on 13 May 1981, referred to the need for he becomes a manager of resources rather than a naval officers to gain a better understanding of leader of men. In this aspect, 'influence' is more these matters. The present General Manager of important than 'command' and although the Garden Island Dockyard has also expressed firm management training offered by the Navy pre- opinions regarding the need for improved training pares in part for this, it fails to provide fully for of naval officers in industrial relations matters. dealing with increasingly difficult industrial affairs which are bound to impinge more on the military in Traditional needs future. The training of Service officers has reflected the concept 'If you want peace, prepare for war'. This preparation has meant procurement of equipment and logistic support, the provision of THE AUTHOR skilled manpower, the motivation of this man- power with purpose and a will to win, and the Mr Chris Evans is presently Assistant Manager Pro- development of operational plans and tactical duction (Staff) at Garden Island Dockyard and a graduate of the RAN Staff College. His article was doctrine. originally published in the 'Balmoral Papers' and Training for war has emphasised efficiency in re-printed with the permission of the Director RANSC the immediate operational task and the training of

Journal of the Australian Naval Institute — Page 3 J The imperatives of change areas. Facilities exist through Department of The relationship belween the military and Defence New South Wales Regional Office for a society have been historically fundamental to the one hour introduction to industrial relations for structure of our society. The military has had close prospective commanding officers and executive links with the head of state; and supported political officers in preparation for civilian work force power through patronage! and force. Today, the contact, and a four day course for both Service military role is a specialization amongst many in and civilian personnel. our industrialised, technological and highly Garden Island Dockyard also runs industrial turbulent social democracy and has little or no relations courses either utilising Regional Office, influence on political matters. The role of the through the Dockyard Training Officer, or by armed forces in our society is basically to deter utilising consultants. None of the foregoing attack, and defeat it should it occur. It is necessary schemes, however, attempt to incorporate IR in war to maintain stringent discipline, which training within a comprehensive management affects civilians as they become more aligned with course where it can take its place within the many military type authority in form if not content factors which interrelate for effective manage- through an ideology of common purpose. ment today. In the current environment of rapid social and The RANSC charter objectives require technological change, there is an increasing need students to 'Comprehend the concepts and to 'reverse' the ideology of common purpose in practices of modern management as applied to time of peace. The Services take their manpower both industrial and defence resources'. Within the from a more emancipated and dialectic society RANSC Study Area Two, the management tech- and return their manpower to a society which is niques segment is programmed for 209 hours of continuing to change more rapidly than the study, some 28 per cent of the course total and the Services. There is a clear need to ensure that the largest single element. This segment, however, Services are in organisation and quality, a does not display sufficient emphasis on under- reflection of the society which they serve Above standing the industrial machinery which impacts all else, there is the need to manage change and more on the Services today and will increase in the inevitable conflict which it brings; to achieve future for a number of reasons, these being revolutionary change at an evolutionary pace, increased militancy amongst a wide range of blue reconciling planning with democracy, the rule of and white collar unions, changing technology and law and legal 'reform'. To foster this aim, there is a social attitudes, and a planned increase in need to know why things are done in industrial Australian defence industrial participation which relations, as well as knowing what to do. will result in increased civilian/Service interaction The orientation of Australian defence ad- and mutual reliance. ministration reflects the roles of both Service officers and civilians in the machinery for keeping in touch, and up to date with circumstances as Means for improved IR training they change. It is both the rate of change and The RANSC aim is to '. . . increase the economic pressures in our society which demand professional knowledge, judgement and com- flexibility and understanding in order to operate petence of selected officers normally of the rank efficiently, and this is pertinent in the field of of lieutenant-commander, thereby broadening industrial relations. Inflation creates middle class their professional background and preparing discontent and it bends and sometimes breaks them for command and higher staff appointments institutions; the Conciliation and Arbitration in both peace and war'. system is such a potential victim. Unemployment The foregoing arguments indicate the need presents serious social, political and industrial for senior Service officers to manage resources problems; technological change exacerbates this and operate more through 'influence' than situation. There is continuing turbulence and we 'command'. It is inappropriate to expose officers must not confuse industrial passivity at times with bound for senior positions to an overview of IR in industrial peace. The real challenge is through isolation from related aspects of management understanding, to find valid ways of reasserting through which 'influence' can be achieved. that human labour is engaged in the enhance- Indeed Defence Regional Office (NSW) stress ment of human beings and that conflict is not seen that far from creating experts in this field, regions as a solution to short term disruption. training has the following objectives: • In the one hour introduction, the training aims '. . to create in local supervisors an awareness Current industrial relations (IR) training of industrial relations, which it is hoped, will No specific IR training courses are currently assist them in their day to day supervisory and conducted by the RAN fcr middle ranking officers time management activities'. posted for duty in dockyards or as commanding • The four day course aims To provide Service officers where they will interact with industrial and civilian personnel with:

Page 32 — Journal of the Australian Naval Institute • A basic understanding of civil industrial Environmental factors influence industrial relations as part of the total management relations largely as external inputs to the system framework. and will include economic influences, the political • The basic knowledge and skills required to context, the social setting, the legal environment, deal with industrial matters arising in normal historical influences, the ecological context and day to day functions of units, bases and the state of technology. Economic influences are establishments. important, as the contract of employment repre- Meaningful IR training must occur at the right sents an economic transaction. This factor is the time and be complemented with the relevant basis of job regulation and an important com- supportive subjects. In the introduction to their ponent of industrial conflict. With the ebb and flow book 'Australian Industrial Relations'. Plowman. of resources in the labour market, economic Deary and Fisher point out that there is some conflict is inevitable and this factor has resulted in disagreement regarding the scope of industrial machinery by which control is achieved. Eco- relations studies. Clearly the environment within nomic conditions can create conflict regarding job which the system operates includes the state of security and result in union demarcation issues as technology, the prevailing economic conditions each union tries to make the best of reduced and the constitution which determines the division employment opportunities. of industrial powers between Federal and State In this sense, the political context refers to the Government. distribution of power in society and within political Consideration of these elements shows that institutions as they are influenced by pressure industrial relations focus on the vitals of living in groups (women's liberation movements, anti-sex an industrial society and that it takes its place discrimination in employment legislation etc). within management studies as a branch of Also, the division of political parties into labour sociology. Careful selection of the situation for and non-labour parties has seen legislation which meaningful training is thus evident. achieves employment conditions not gained by industrial action (for example, shorter working hours, long service and recreation leave). Technology is an important external and internal influence, as workers have to accommodate their Training content practices to technology. The substitution of capital In his book 'Study of Industrial Relations', and automated plants can reduce the power base A.J. Geare offers the following definition: of major craft unions Technological change The field of study of industrial relations is undermines existing craft systems and may thus defined as the study at either plant, firm, introduce a new technological elite with even industry, national or international level of the greater bargaining power. interaction among and between three actor For most people, strikes and industrial con- groups: flict are one. It is important to properly understand • managers and their organisations; conflict by examining the range of behaviour and • workers and their organisations: and attitudes in the industrial situation. The purpose of • the government as a legislative body and an industrial relations system is the regulation and as government agencies, concerned with control of industrial conflict and so it is necessary obtaining and regulating the formal and to look at the various forms conflict may take, informal rules that regulate the work review and major explanations of industrial con- environment for the purpose of: flict and look at strikes. • improved 'labour related' productivity, The major actors or parties in the industrial • improving job satisfaction, and situation are trade unions, employers and, more • achieving increased power in the work particularly, the Government, both as an em- environment and how this interaction is ployer and as a 'rule maker', and the arbitrators, affected by external variables (such as both the Public Service Arbitrator and the technology, economic conditions, Conciliation and Arbitration Commission. An power groups within society, personali- understanding of the interplay is important to see ties and personality differences). industrial relations in proper perspective. A range Clearly this basis for study will fit well into the of processes or forms of interaction available for 'Management Principles' segment of the RANSC settlement of industrial problems from unilateral course Incorporation of the additional IR training decision making by employers to workers' control will complement the main aims of the manage- exists. The arbitration system converts a bilateral ment section which does not at present complete into a tri-lateral interaction should negotiations the scope of matters defined by Geare. Variations breakdown. to the present course profile should include study Underpinning the IR system is a set of rules of topics such as environmental influences, which regulate conflict. These rules may take the conflict, parties, processes and rules. form of statutes, orders and directions from

Journal of the Australian Naval Institute — Page 33 industrial tribunals, the rules of organisations, areas in the management segments of the awards, agreements, and custom and practice. course. The IR component should come towards The present RANSC course offers some the end of the management segment and would consideration of environmental influences require about 10 hours of lectures focusing on the through a study of the following subjects: broad headings: Human motivation. • Overview of Industrial Relations in Australia Management styles. Today. Understanding human behaviour. • Aims and Resources of Major Unions. Computers in management (technology). • Mainstream Issues in Conciliation and Arbi- Understanding organisations. tration. Environmental factors in management. • Industrial Relations in the Public Service. Practical management. The additional training would best be carried Personnel reporting. out by visiting lecturers, either current or new to Management of change. the RANSC, with an appropriate industrial back- Contemporary Australian society. ground, supplemented by a visiting union leader The trade union movement. of national standing, an arbitration commissioner, To reinforce the learning process, these manage- and the public service area through Regional ment aspects are supplemented by synidate Office. tutorials, case studies, industrial visits and management projects, oy the all important A need exists to introduce current industrial exercise of integrating these aspects with the relations training into the Navy for middle ranking major issues of industrial relations is not officers. This training will by necessity have to attempted It is important to remember Ruskin's complement an appreciation gained of modern dictum that 'not only is the'e but one way of doing management concepts as applied to both in- things rightly, there is only one way of seeing dustrial and defence resources. them, and that's the whole of them'. An appropriate venue for this training is the RANSC where with minimal addition of new Procedure for achieving IR training material the necessary training can be imple- Recognising that the essence of senior mented. The additional lecture time would be management is'influence', it will be appropriate to some 10 current programmed hours of the introduce the required balance of training not on management segment. demand but as a coherent part of staff training for Key areas which are not adequately covered middle ranking officers who will aspire to 'in- by the RANSC are: environmental influences, fluence' Some support and advice can be conflicts, parties, processes, and rules. solicited from DOD Regional Training Centre Assistance can be given by the Regional The foregoing information should be used as Training Centre Industrial and Compensation a guide for incorporation of additional lectures Officer with the course content but the burden of and exercises into the RANSC. This additional lectures should be handled by visiting speakers training should be incorporated during the representing: manufacturing industry, dockyards management segment of the course and in view and academics; the trades union movement: of the time available, at the expense of less conciliation and arbitration commission experi- valuable lectures or by combining with other ence; and the public service area.

Australia may well be proud of her great war effort since the war came to her doorstep. Without such a stimulus, a similar worthy effort was made in the Great War (1914-1918). But to finance her socio-economic problem in the post-war reconstruction period Australia yielded to the temptation of rifling her insurance account, the defence services. Repatriation of soldiery was made at the expense of defence services which, in a series of reductions, were ruthlessly cut almost to vanishing-point Australia should beware lest history repeat itself. She will not get a third chance to save herself from annihilation.

Rear Admiral H.J. Feakes CBE RAN (White Ensign — Southern Cross)

Page 34 — Journal of the Australian Naval Institut*. True-to-Lif e Simulation

Simulation- and Trainingsystems for all applications e. g. ATLAS Submarine Team Trainer ATLAS ASW and Sonar Trainer ATLAS Weapons Firing Simulator ATLAS Ship Handling Simulator

KRUPP GMBH AS-ELEKTRONIK BREMEN HMS BUCCANEER By Jack Philip-Nicols

This article first appeered in the August 1981 edition of 'Ship Monthly' and is reprinted with the permission of the Editor. When is a ship like a camel? — when it's designed by a committee.

In 1936 it occurred to the Admiralty that the set about altering it to suit purely Royal Navy tugs manned by Royal Navy crews were just requirements. Some requirements could not be about at the end of their useful lives. Built, and met without taking the ship to pieces and starting well-built, for the First World War, they were again, so the ship put up with them. These mostly of the 'Saint' class — single screw, coal- included — if you hoped to steer from a position in burning, with a speed of twelve knots, one funnel the wheelhouse, you were unfortunate, because and smart-looking vessels,. a 3in HA/LA gun obscured the view forward, and Some of these ships had been sold to foreign our lack of complement did not allow officers and navies or to dockyards on the far side of the world men both on the bridge and in the wheelhouse and it was thought that they could be replaced by The charthouse was under the bridge. The a class of tug which would be capable of salvage seas that poured from a bow apparently specially work as well as towing — but the idea of double constructed to throw water vertically, continually purpose seldom, if ever, works. washed down the bridge (which was open) so at no time could we use the chart table on the bridge. With an extra engine, twin screws, and some A run down a ladder, and a climb up again was extra 1,750 horse power, which pushed speed up therefore necessary. an additional four knots, the new vessels would be oil-fired. Optimistically, they were said to be fitted Entering the charthouse from outer dark- for salvage work, which was a big laugh — or ness, we were blinded by light; returning to the perhaps the inclusion of a Royal Navy Boatswain, bridge meant we could not see a thing until our was what they meant9 Names were to be fanciful eyes got accustomed to the lack of light Codes of - HMS BUCCANEER, BRIGAND, BANDIT, stamping feet on the bridge by the man at the FREEBOOTER — ever so jolly. wheel had to be arranged if we were wanted up top when we were working on the chart. The It used to be said that a camel was a direct helmsman was well washed down and had to use result of a committee being asked to design a the same compass as the Officer of the Watch horse of a superior type. Every member of the committee got his pet feature in — like Achmed, A bridge complement of one AB who has to who wanted slobbery jaws capable of chewing double as lookout is not good, especially if the desert thorns as an economical food source; Deli, O.O.W. is working on the chart. who wanted the animal to oscillate fore and aft as One of the major drawbacks of these tugs well as athwartships, in order to keep the rider was their obsolete system of steering, which had awake and Ben Rach who arranged for poison- been condemned by every navy in the world, and ous breath, to deter strangers, etc. most shipping companies too. Nevertheless, the By the time the designed had tried to satisfy 1937 class of RN tugs had it — chain and rod the Board of Trade, the Admiralty, Lloyds, and a steering. It was not only obsolete, it was few other authorities, my Captain and I joined the vessel, and pronounced it a Camel, well-built THE AUTHOR mind you, but a Camel all ihe same. Mr Jack Philip-Nicols joined the Royal Navy on 26 The ship had some good points and they say August 1920 and served until 1945 He served in a that a special band of idiots can always be found variety of ships including the last of the K Class sub- who are willing to be pjt to sea in a vessel marines He describes these boats as beautiful, safe, designed by a different group of idiots. fast, comfortable and happy. In his own words: 'I joined the Navy as a 2nd Class Boy and due to my un Whilst building, certain requirements by one questioning disobedience got no further than being a authority, had negated the requirements of Commissioned Branch Officer' another, and when we commissioned the ship we

Page 36 — Journal of the Austral an Naval Institute dangerous, and, on trials, the steering engine was The compass was magnetic. I had been found to be connected incorrectly at the after years in submarines and had had the luxury of a steering position. A movement of the wheel to port Gyro compass for years. The boats might have meant that the ship moved smoothly and swiftly to passed unnoticed in a Maritime Museum — two starboard — disconcerting, but remedied soon Merchant Service boats with oars and sails, that after trials. would sail about 60° off the wind and made infinite leeway. We would have been glad to have had The accommodation for the small crew was two Montagu Whalers, good boats with drop not bad so far as the messdecks were concerned, keels, but, Achmed or someone had decreed but the plumbing was terrible. Every officer and otherwise. With all respect to the Merchant man in the ship had to rely on one little Ideal boiler Marine, they could have 'em, I think that in any for baths and washing, and laundry — the sort of real emergency, they would have gone down with coal-burning boiler that serves a small bungalow the ship. The design of the davits was pure Harry badly. If the Captain wanted a bath, the cook saw Tate at its worst. There was a little Merchant Navy to it that no water left the boiler in any direction but skiff, a clumsy boat about thirteen feet long, with Captain-wards — he controlled the taps. Stokers, no sailing gear, but by a system of gentle per- artificers, seamen, and the dog Towser, could, suasion, we managed to manufacture a mast and and did, wait. Towser didn't mind waiting! The rigging and the sailmaker of the ROYAL WCs flushed only when we had steam on the SOVEREIGN made us a suit of sails. It sailed fairly fire-main. In harbour when not lit up, the sanitary well round Scapa Flow carrying a bicycle and an tank, so-called, was pumped up in the same way officer and one man foraging for food during the as in Nelson's Navy — by hand pump, called by 1938 crisis. sailors the 'handraulic' method. The fresh water was pumped up in just the same way to fill up the The ship's towing gear was ludicrous, galley copper to a tank on top of the bridge — so though, on paper, it was considered to be the latest thing. We had a self-rendering winch with a our glass of water, if we wanted one, was first 1/ pumped up twenty feet, then ran down by drum of 500 fathoms of 4 2 inch extra special steel Newton's gravity. wire rope. As a constant companion when towing Battle Practice Targets, it was a pain in the neck. A different handpump elevated the salt water The engines worked beautifully, the Chief to another tank, also on the bridge, so the design- ERA, a Scot, had stood by the ship, and nothing ers of the camel had arranged that the water to short of perfection passed him. The boilers, after flush the WCs had to travel by a long route with some teething troubles, became very good under infinite waste of labour up on to the bridge, before his expert eye. But we could not cope with built-in gushing down the lavatories. A little too long design defects. A tug ought to have a single screw pressing the button made a lot of work for the AB deep down in the water. HMS BUCCANEER had of the Watch. twin screws which, naturally, had to be shallow An AB of genius worked out that the long Moreover, the rudder was of the same shape as overhead journey could almost be eliminated, so the rudder on the old paddle tugs of the time of he got a tin bucket and a length of thin rope Then Turner's FIGHTING TEMERAIRE. There were people of modest rank would fling the bucket times when, at certain speeds, and certain helm overboard and flush the toilet with ease. This, in angles, it made you believe you were riding a 1937? Oh yes, in less than ten years we were to roundabout, the proximity of the heavy target hulls have the atom bomb. to the screws and the risk of wires wrapping them- Never was the Ideal boiler, ideal, it was too selves round the shafts, made me grey before my small so we reverted to the method of washing time. and bathing in the 1920 destroyers. A visit to the The wireless. I am glad to say, worked, and ship's cook, a man worthy of many medals (his worked well. The Leading Telegraphist was one gear was little advanced on a tripod and an iron of those keen types who shine so well in a position pot) and he would give a measured half bucket of of trust and responsibility. The Signalman too, hot water from the cooking copper. might have been picked from a top class of candidates for Yeoman of Signals; during WWII The navigational methods were also crude. he became a Yeoman aboard a crack destroyer. Until we made and rigged a short boom on the The Coxswain was a good sailor, and a good boat deck, we had towed an old-fashioned log Seaman. There was one regular drunk aboard, astern, and the OOW had to take the wheel as the but he was sober at sea. Helmsman ran dowr aft to read the log. Equally crude were the sounding arrangements. We had a lead and line and a glorious old electric sound- Stirring up Old Wrecks ing machine that must have been the first ever Down in the hold lurked hundreds of fathoms made. No echo-sounding for 'Buccaneers' or of large manilla rope, great for long sea towing, 'Bandits'. but the Battle Practice Targets were towed on

Journal of the Australian Naval Institute — Page 37 wire on the self-rendering winch of uncertain became impossible. Great waves struck the habits with five hundred fathoms out. This meant rudder and the rudder brake proved useless. The that when on some of the; firing grounds at slow twin screws, by a mistake of the first magnitude, speed, the wire would be along the bottom stirring could occasionally turn us a point or two. We up old wrecks and older rocks. looked to the boats, recalling that, a 'Saint' class We went up and down and in and out. tug had gone down a few years before in this area Admirals took enough notice of us to find out what due to stress of weather. we could carry in the way of this and that; we fired Two ERAs stood by the engines, the Cox- our 3in HA/LA gun, which was, of course, a laugh. swain stood by the useless wheel and made There's no doubt we cojld have hit something telegraph signals trying to put our bows to the high with it, if shell and target happened only, by seas running. Most of the crew and all the officers chance, to occupy the same place for a fraction of on the aft deck were knocked down as the waves a second, and the range was not too long. The came over. I rigged the self-rendering winch to gun was designed about 1914, once again a pull on the rudder head, captain, Chief ERA and double-duty thing — it was supposed to fire at everybody floundered about in deep water and 80-knot aircraft and slow, lumbering Zeppelins. At slid with every roller. low angle it might have be^en as useful as some of the submarine guns. I suppose its real reason on The Chief ERA was lying under the cross board was to provide work and pleasure for the head which was slashing to and fro, a Leading Irish Gunlayer, Farrell. He made that gun look Seaman sitting on his legs, jumping back every grand. He cleaned it all Ihe time. You hear a lot time a giant sea hit the rudder, which was flapping about data now, and you are said to need it when about like a Jew's overcoat. Chief ERA Cowie firing an expensive shell at a target. In the was rolling about with whole seas dowsing him, BUCCANEER'S time there was little data to be spitting, but not losing sight of the chain which had. only guesswork — guesswork allied to con- lashed at him. jecture, modified by estimate, and applied as A Stocker PO manned the steering engine, experiment. ready to lay the rudder over if the chain could be In keeping with our ancient build and design, I replaced, which we doubted. The Telegraphist suppose our gunnery was. of the same type as that appeared reporting the starboard boat had been of Nelson's gunners, which was roughly — 'Look provisioned and asked for orders. The captain along the barrel; if the enemy is in the way, fire, we told him, "Get back in your hutch," and he went have plenty of ammunition'. The gun went off with gladly, with only one Tel we knew his importance if a lovely bang. Gunnery was not an exact science we had to abandon. then; I doubt if it is that yet. The struggle lasted a long time; Cowie's The ship was reasonably happy. The only arms were lacerated, but he got the chain back on sports gear I remember was a football and two to a feeble cheer. It remained on, we steadied on pairs of boxing gloves, but we had the distinction, course, and the Chief had a lie down and a sportwise, of having a Poyal Naval footballer in dressing with iodine from the Coxswain. We our crew. People used to speak the name of tautened up the boat lashings and cursed the "Buster Brown" with great respect. chain and rod steering that had got us, and lots of other ships, into trouble. No-one went sick, no-one deserted in my two years. We dashed about at economical speed When my two years in HMS BUCCANEER and during the 1938 crisis we pulled HMS FURY had elapsed I wrote a report on what I considered off the rocks at Scapa We towed the original big to be the shortcomings of the ship and sent it to carrier HMS ARK ROYAL out of Gibraltar, towed the Admiralty. The Admiralty then sent me to HMS RESOLUTION out of the Scapa Boom Shotley on a teaching job. Defence into which she had got stuck. We One more thing about HMS BUCCANEER. recovered a seven-ton anchor and a long cable After the war, she was towing a target for a left behind by a German battleship in 1919 when Canadian destroyer to fire at. By accident she was they scuttled. We pushed and pulled HMS hit by a salvo of non-explosive shells right on a NELSON and we 'acted'. In this work we rep- bulkhead dividing the Engine Room and the after resented a cruiser or large raider on large scale Boiler room. With these two compartments flood- manoeuvres. We kept a bright eye on Franco's ing fast, her 180-ton per hour salvage pump was large cruisers off Gibraltar with our pop-gun helpless. She sank to the bottom of the sea and. loaded, and we behaved ourselves. as far as I know, she is there yet, with all her The chain and rod steering let us down in Camel-like features open for inspection to the rough weather in the Bay of Biscay. The weather fish. I was proud to have served in her and, even threw us about, the chain came off the rudder now, I sometimes run into shipmates of the old cross-head in the tradit onal way, and steering 'Bucc' with welcoming smiles.

Page 38 — Journal of the Australian Naval Institute WASHINGTON NOTES

While it is too early to fully assess the results the Harrier, the AV-8A, for use as a close air of the battles for the Falkland Islands, it is certain support aircraft to cover Marine assault forces. that massive reappraisals of the effectiveness of The Harrier gave the Marine Corps an aircraft that modern armaments and ship building are under- would fit what it considered to be a necessary way all over the world. The first combat mission three phase operational doctrine. for a nuclear submarine, the vulnerability of In the first phase, Marine Harriers would modern ships to fire, the devastating damage operate from aircraft carriers or assault ships in caused by surface skimming missiles, and the support of a Marine landing. In the second phase, heavy use of all forms of electronic warfare will facilities would be 'roughed in' ashore to keep continue to change modern strategy and tactics. aircraft near the troops (a lesson of modern war- For the United States, however, it was the fare dating back at least as far as Guadalcanal success of V/STOL aircraft in the form of Harrier and repeated in the Falklands). The final phase and of the V/STOL carrier that may have the most would be to establish full support facilities ashore, wide reaching impact on military planning. including concrete runways. But despite the There is no one particular reason behind the Marine Corps satisfaction with the AV-8A, and the slow development of the V/STOL concept in the satisfactory deployment of those aircraft at sea, United States. It is, after all, a logical evolutionary the Navy has consistently fought Marine requests development combining the benefits of the for more Harriers. The reasons are many helicopter and conventional aircraft. V/STOL would provide the ability to put more highly First, and foremost, the Navy committed itself capable aircraft on a larger variety of ships than to the A/F-18 attack fighter aircraft. The Navy ever before and would allow aircraft to follow command has felt that it would be better for the ground forces without elaborate airfields, two Corps to purchase the same attack craft as the concepts military and naval planners have Navy following previous procurement policy. supposedly been striving to achieve since the Second, it continues to be noted that the Harrier Second World War. had a very high accident rate. The emphasis here Although serious V/STOL work has taken is on the past tense, for as soon as the Marines place in the United States since the middle ordered stiffer training and pilot standards for 1950's, with Bell Aircraft proving the tilt-rotor Harrier pilots, accidents dropped to a point where concept with its XV-3 in the early 1960's, no the Harrier is now one of the safest aircraft in successful V/STOL aircraft has yet gone into America's military arsenal. Thirdly, since the production in this country. It is fair to say that, were Harrier was replacing the A-4 Skyhawk, it was it not for the persistence of the United States expected to do all that a conventional aircraft Marine Corps, V/STOL would be far less ad- could do. Many military planners were unwilling to vanced in both concept and actual aircraft than it make a start on V/STOL aircraft which, con- is today. ceivably, might in some ways be inferior to its As early as 1957, the Commandant of the CTOL predecessor thus ignoring the benefits Marine Corps informed the Chief of Naval provided by the V/STOL concept Fourth, and far Operations that V/STOL characteristics 'were the from least, Lt. General T.H. Miller, USMC (Ret.) ultimate requirement of all Marine aircraft in has noted that the foreign design and construction support of amphibious operations in the future.' In of the Harrier met stiff opposition from within the the 1960's, the Marine Corps selected a version of American aircraft industry and on Capitol Hill.

Journal of the Australian Naval Institute — Page 39 Luckily, the Marine Corps' well known repu- BellXV-15 tation for tenacity was proven again as it has Congressman Dan Glickman (Democrat- slowly convinced many in the Pentagon and in the Kansas), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Congress that V/STOL is, a concept that cannot Transportation, Aviation, and Materials of the be ignored and should be encouraged. Funds for Science and Technology Committee of the United V/STOL development, cut from the defense States House of Representatives, considers the budget in the late 1970's, have now been restored XV-15 an aircraft that "has the potential to provide and at least 4 V/STOL ciircraft and 3 ship con- the United States with a revolutionary advance in cepts are currently being developed in the United aviation technology with both civilian and military States which could change the face of both applications. This technology could provide all aircraft and the ships that carry them by the end of U.S. armed services with a common aircraft for a this decade. variety of different missions such as high speed rescue, long range troop transport, forward air control, reconnaisance, and high speed cargo AV-8B Harrier II delivery. The XV-15 technology could also be For its second purchase of V/STOL aircraft, used for an efficient commuter transport since it the Marine Corps decided on a major modification has both long range capability and precision of the Harrier. The redesign and construction of hovering for intracity operations." the Harrier II has been undertaken by McDonnell A joint project of the National Aeronautics Douglas. The substantial changes over the AV- and Space Administration, the United States 8A are a larger wing span, 50% more internal fuel Army and the United States Navy, the XV-15 is capacity, 7 versus 5 ordinance stations, a raised the only other V/STOL aircraft currently under cockpit for greater visibility, structural and aero- consideration for long term production that has dynamic changes that will allow the AV8-B to actually flown. Simple in concept, the craft has a carry twice the AV8-A payload over the same stationary center wing and two large rotors which distance, and more "fightor characteristics" with a tilt to shift the craft from the hovering mode to the 25 millimeter gun system and the AIM-9 Side- forward flight mode. winder missile. The experimental version of the The projected assault size tilt rotor, known as Harrier 11 has already flown and it is expected to be HXM, could have undertaken the 1,600 mile in production within the next few years. The round trip Teheran embassy raid from dusk to improvements represented by the AV8-B repre- dawn without refueling. It is estimated that the sent major strides for V/STOL and should go far in craft will have a 2,250 mile range without refueling promoting its acceptance by all air forces. after a short take off roll and will have the ability to

Bell XV-15

Page 40 — Journal of the Australian Naval Institute Test model of the Grumman Design 698. use auxiliary fuel tanks or inflight refueling facili- transport. The engines are General Electric GE- ties. This great range would allow self-deploy- 34 turbofans currently in use on the latest com- ment of a V/STOL craft thereby freeing C-5A and mercial transports and on the United States Air C-141 transports for carrying other weapons and Force A-1OA attack aircraft. equipment in times of emergency. The concept emphasizes simplicity in the fact The potential that stems from the versatility of that the only part of the aircraft that moves are the the XV-15 is tremendous. It can replace the CH- engines. The twin tilt nacelle airplane is controlled 53, and C-130 and for special operations and to transition in hover primarily by means of rescue; the C-7 Caribou for intertheater trans- horizontal and vertical veins in the slip stream of ports; and several aircraft performing in AEW, the engines. Besides the ability to take off and ASW, COD/VOD, and SAR functions at sea. land vertically, the Design 698 should be able to While the commonality of using one aircraft for land as a conventional aircraft and take off many missions is valuable on land it is particularly conventionally with a full cargo load in less than valuable at sea where fewer people will be 200 feet. It is projected to fly at 500 knots with a required for maintenance, as well as a smaller 50,000 foot ceiling and the ability to rise from sea spare parts inventory and less diagnostic and level to 30,000 feet within 2V2 minutes. maintenance equipment. This will allow more Requiring less room than in Lamps III heli- combat aircraft on a COTL carrier and give copter to land, the 16 foot wing span of the Design greater flexibility to V/STOL carriers. 698 can fit in any hanger in the U.S. fleet today The Navy is looking for the aircraft to provide Grumman Design 698 AAW, ASW, ASuW, AEW, OTH-T, and EW cap- A joint development project of the United abilities for the fleet, so tragically absent at the States Navy, the National Aeronautics and Space Falklands, replacing at least the E-2C Hawkeye Administration and Grumman Aviation, Design and S-A3A Viking. 698 has been in development since 1976 and has reached the full mock-up stage. Grumman has placed great emphasis on economy in building ADEN the aircraft. The nose module, wing and fuselage One of the more interesting concepts under assemblies are the same as the Mitsubishi M-2 development is the combination of the highly

Journal of the Australian Naval Institute — Page 41 successful Grumman A-SE Intruder with modi- DGV guided missile aviation destroyer fications in the form of augmentor deflector Grumman and Litton/lngalls have come exhaust nozzles (ADEN). together to provide a ship specifically designed for The concept combines the use of one of the the development of the Design 698 but one that most successful planes n the Navy's inventory could be readily adapted to any V/STOL aircraft. with General Electric two dimensional non-axixy- Based on the hull of the CG-47 TICONDA- metrical nozzle to vector engine thrust. Actually a ROGA class cruiser with a ski jump off the bow, STOL concept, the A-6 ADEN reduces take off the vessel is scheduled to carry 10 Design 698 from 1,500 feet to 400 feet with a 10 knot wind V/STOL aircraft and 128 multi-purpose verticle over the deck and allows; landing at speeds just missile launch tubes. The latter would give the slightly over 100 knots. The Navy could continue ship the greatest ship offensive capabilities of any the use of the basic A-6 in its attack role or in a American aircraft carrier since the 8-inch guns of transport mode, allowing it to carry up to 10,000 the LEXINGTON and SARATOGA of the 1920's. pounds of stores to ships at sea. The ship's aircraft would be used to provide LHDI attack air augmentation platform surveillance at ranges of up to 700 nautical miles As Australia well knows, American develop- and target the over-the-horizon weapons beyond ment of smaller aircraft carriers has atrophied the ship's radar range. since the end of World War II. Admiral Elmo Zumwalt's sea control shio is now the CANARIAS of the Royal Spanish Navy. The RAN's plans to ARAPAHO build a smaller carrier in the United States based ARAPAHO, a concept that has been under on the IWO JIM A class assault ships escalated in development in the United States for well over a cost so rapidly that the INVINCIBLE became the decade, is a pre-fabricated, portable aviation accepted alternative. However, interest in the facility, designed for fast deployment aboard smaller carrier concept has recently been pushed modern containerized cargo ships. The idea of in Congress as an augmentation to the CVN's and using a combined merchant ship/aircraft carrier is Navy studies show that V/STOL development not new, however, as the Royal Navy used makes platforms in the range of 20,000 to 40,000 several ships during the Second World War that tons attractive. were grain carriers below decks and aircraft Current Navy thinking is toward this size carriers above decks. vessel, based on a modification of the LHA-5 It is estimated that it would take only 12 hours class The ship will be s. fully capable V/STOL to fit the modules (which are similar to regular ship carrier with a smaller superstructure, ski ramp and containers) on board ship at which time the vessel reinforced flight deck could then move from dock side to another

Hangar Rooi Accommodation _/ Hangar Roof Spacer Arra* Aft Hangar Door |i-Fwd Hangar Door Hangar Array ^Fuel Farm

F alse Floors

Existing Hatch Covers

ARAPAHO project

Page 42 — Journal of the Australian Naval Institute anchorage for the other 12 hours necessary for The Armed Forces Journal International Navy personnel to secure and hook up the cites recent press reports that the Royal Navy ARAPAHO system. either used or tried to secure an ARAPAHO ARAPAHO is self sustaining in regards to system during the Falklands conflict. However, power, heat, air, communications, housing and the closest ARAPAHO has yet gone to sea is messing facilities for its projected 75 to 85 naval being assembled on a deck mock-up at the personnel. Using only the on deck cargo space, Lakehurst Naval Air Engineering Center. Its first approximately 25% of a modern commercial sea tests are scheduled for October of this year. vessel's cargo area, ARAPAHO is predicted to be ARAPAHO is one of the most interesting able to use over 100 different helicopters in the concepts being developed as it gives every NATO inventory and possibly the AV8-B or the container ship the potential capacity of being a British Sea Harrier. small aircraft carrier able to protect itself and other Funding for the ARAPAHO concept, erratic nearby ships. at best, was included in the Navy's fiscal year V/STOL has proven itself in battle. It pro- 1982 and 1983 budgets at the behest of Senator vides an unprecedented means by which naval Gary Hart (Democrat-Colorado). Although only and merchant ships can protect themselves while $US11 million has been spent to date on the taking war to the enemy. The time for debating the concept, it is arousing great interest in many idea is past. The time for construction and countries, particularly Australia, Canada, West deployment is now. Germany, and the United Kingdom. Tom A. Friedmann

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Journal of the Australian Naval Institute — Page 43 wu

— a new word in anybody's language! Vickers Cockatoo Dockyard is the main refitting base for the Navy's submarines. Advanced technology in weapons, sensors, and fire control systems being installed at Cockatoo makes these fine Oberon class boats a very powerful and effective arm of Australia's defence.

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Page 44 — Journal of the Australian Naval Institute SHIPS AND THE SEA

This is a tale which occurred in a destroyer explosion from the Captain who took charge of escort in the dying days of the strategic reserve wind, sea and balloon and ordered the release commitment based in Singapore. point. The balloon not realising the gravity of the The Captain of this particular vessel was a event promptly flopped into the water and very precise person and had a leaning toward a scudded off downwind. certain pedantry of manner. Whilst this and other There followed a flurry of manoeuvre as the traits endeared him to his sailors as a mild Captain, never a good shiphandler at the best of eccentric, the effect on his officers was one of times, valiantly tried to match the drift of the some frustration. balloon. At last it came within range and away Now the good Commander, as are all our went the Swimmer of the Watch to effect the Commanding Officers, was eager to be seen to be recovery. The OOW posted a shark lookout and doing well. He therefore courted assiduously the the swimmer grabbed the balloon and started reigning area Admiral (COMFEF) and his staff to back. gain control of a practice seacat missile which Just then up alongside the swimmer popped was allocated to the reserve pool. Unfortunately a banded seasnake. To cries of 'Snake, Snake1 he was unaware that the Royal Naval Target from the assembled crew, the swimmer did a Services Group had just been sent home as part creditable exhibition of water walking and was of the cut-backs; so having secured the missile he inboard in a twinkling, without of course, the now had nothing to fire at. balloon. The shark lookout drew a bead and with After much badgering he managed to cajole superb shooting knocked the snake into the air the WEED and Gunnery Officer into allowing the with one shot and cut it in half with the next. The missile to be fired at a mesh covered Met balloon. Captain watched the wild west show with dismay. Accordingly the ship made her way to the local as by now the balloon was racing off to find its exercise areas and began the tribulations that mate and he could see another half hour of would make an Easter Island statue weep. First manoeuvring coming up. He grabbed the bullhorn the 'system' was down, then the camera, then microphone and said, very deliberately, Thank there were ships in the way, then the sun was in you very much Able Seaman . . .' and turning to the wrong place; and so on in a convoluted spiral the Executive Officer said 'Now get the balloon of inane logic. On the bridge the level of controlled Number One1. The gunner, flushed with pride exasperation was such that the yeoman was from his sharpshooting heard. Thank you very ducking for cover, the Officer of the Watch staring much . . . now get the balloon' and did just that — fixedly ahead, the bosuns mate was whimpering and fired a shot straight through it! in the corner and the Captain was speaking in slow pedantic tone on the armament broadcast; a ARACHNID sure sign that all was definitely not well. Finally all was in readiness and in stiff 20 knot breeze the balloon was released and flopped straight into the water and borne rapidly away. Time in the exercise area was fast running out when the navigator appeared with the next balloon and shamefaced informed the Captain that this would be the last since the supplies of helium were now exhausted. He had not replenished them because of supply difficulties. At about this time the Deputy WEED, un- doubtedly a brave man but also a somewhat eccentric student of aeronautics, appeared on the bridge and blandly gave his opinion of where the balloon should be released. This produced an

Journal of the Australian Naval Institute — Page 45 BOOK RTi REVIEWS

ADDRESS BY Included in this transition is the passing from HIS EXCELLENCY THE RIGHT HONOURABLE service of this ship, HMAS MELBOURNE, on SIR ZELMAN COWEN, AK, GCMG, GCVO, whose quarterdeck we now stand. MELBOURNE KStJ, QC, GOVERNOR-GENERAL OF THE is symbolic of the Navy; she has served the nation COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA, ON splendidly for more than a quarter of a century and THE OCCASION OF THE LAUNCHING OF she has a special place in our naval history — THE ROYAL AUSTRALIAN NAVY— AN naval aviation history particularly — and, I would ILLUSTRATED HISTORY hope, in the affections of the thousands who have ON BOARD HMAS MELBOURNE, AT SYDNEY. sailed in her I am amongst that number. Two WEDNESDAY, ?1 APRIL 1982 years ago, I went to sea in MELBOURNE off Jervis Bay and it was for me a most instructive and I have had no experience of naval launch- memorable experience. It was also calm sailing. ings, except as a spouse. My wife, who saw I think that this is the occasion on which to HMAS TOBRUK into the naval world, is the only announce that I have been pleased to approve the repository of such specialist skills in our family. name of MELBOURNE'S successor. She is to be Like so many dates in the naval calendar, this called HMAS AUSTRALIA There has been a is a historic day. On 21 April 1770, Lieutenant certain inevitability about that selection. It is a James Cook, RN, in HWS ENDEAVOUR, dis- distinguished name and one which has been covered and named Bateman's Bay; 48 hours proudly carried on the seas and oceans of the earlier had had made a landfall on the east coast world in war and peace by two other Flag-ships of of Australia during one of history's most note- the Australian Fleet. I hope that the new AUST- worthy voyages of discovery, exploration and RALIA will carry the nation's name to the satis- navigation. On this day t'iree years ago. Admiral faction and with the approval of all Australians. Synnot was appointed Chief of Defence Force For those who wish to know more about the Staff. first and second AUSTRALIA, I can do no better These events, and very many others in the than to refer you to 'The Royal Australian Navy: intervening period of two centuries, are all An Illustrated History'. In fact, on page 35, there is covered in picture and word in Mr Odgers' book, a splendid photograph of the first and a marvel- and I shall have more to say about that later lous painting of the second reproduced on page Today also marks Admiral Leach's assumption of 133. Let me say at this stage, if you detect early the high office of Chief of Naval Staff and I warmly evidence of the heavy hand of commercial en- congratulate him on that distinction I also dorsement, that the royalties from this book go congratulate Admiral Hudson on his recent pro- into consolidated revenue. motion to flag rank and on his appointment as In 1893, an American admiral endorsed an Fleet Commander. As we all know, the Navy is unfavourable fitness report on Mahan, the great undergoing a great transition with a massive and naval historian The admiral wrote 'it is not the costly capital acquisition programme, and both business of a naval officer to write books', and the the CMS and his Fleet Commander will have busy admiral certainly picked the wrong man. I am and challenging times ahead. reminded of the German schoolmaster who said

Page 46 — Journal of the Australian Naval institute to his pupil: 'Einstein, you will never amount to earlier, the history begins in the eighteenth anything'. Maybe we should learn from this. It is century and runs up to the present day. So it is that unfortunate that so many Australians with naval 200 years of naval events, the ships and the experience seem to share that philosophy of people who shaped them, and sailed in them, reticence — the silent service, one might say — have been recorded and described. and we are the poorer for it. Relatively little Founded on the history and tradition of the Australian naval history has been written. To be Royal Navy, the RAN owes much of its back- sure, there have been some noteworthy excep- ground and development in the last century to the tions; the great war historian C.E.W. Bean RN, and particularly to the Australian Squadron probably began the process as long ago as 1913 and the colonial navies. Although the RAN was with his prophetic book. Flagships Three. We not established until 1911, in the seventy years have had Admiral Collins' autobiography, and the since then it has developed rapidly and has excellent official World War 2 histories by my achieved a magnificent record of service to the friend G. Hermon Gill. Peter Firkins published his nation. Let me quote from the dust jacket: very good Of Nautilus and Eagles a few years ago, and in recent months we have seen Admiral This record has become part of Australia's Gatacre's Reports of Proceedings and Lew heritage. We can all be proud of the action of Lind's fascinating Historic Naval Events of the first SYDNEY off Cocos in 1914. of the Australia Day-by-Day. Then, there has been a submarine AE 2 in the Dardanelles on the series of elegant and very useful little publications first Anzac Day, of the second SYDNEY'S from the Naval Historical Society and the Aust- brilliant performance at Cape Spada in 1940, ralian Naval Institute. But for a sea-faring nation of the gallant sacrifice of YARRA off Java and with such a rich maritime and naval heritage this is the magnificent last fight of PERTH in Sunda not a good and sufficient record, and it is a sad fact Strait early in 1942, of CANBERRA'S last that a naval chronicler would be hard pressed to action at Guadalcanal, of AUSTRALIA'S compile an Australian naval bibliography of more stubborn courage in the Lingayen Gulf, of the than two dozen titles. bravery of MURCHISON in the Han River in Korea in 1951, and, in more recent times, of Not least for this reason, Mr Odgers' book the skill and courage of the RAN ships and makes its welcome appearance. Mr Odgers is units in the Vietnam conflict. However these singularly well qualified to have written the history. are only a few of the wartime actions fought He was educated at the Universities of Western by the RAN. As the service responsible for Australia and Melbourne, graduating with a the protection of the shores of our island Master of Arts degree and with a Diploma in continent, the Navy's continuing peacetime Journalism. He has served on "The Age" and role is also vitally important.' "The Argus" in Melbourne, and he was Head of I think that has been well said. the Historical Studies Section of the Department of Defence from 1975 until his retirement last This book has more than 250 illustrations, year. Retirement is a word which can only be including maps, contemporary colour photo- applied loosely to Mr Odgers. He remains active graphs, and historical drawings. There is a and, by way of example, is currently involved in an substantial text and a comprehensive index. association with the University of Queensland's As an insignificant cog in the war-time navy, project in re-printing the official Great War may I speak of some things which have special histories. I suppose I had better say that this meaning to me. I was in Darwin on February 19, reference to a former haunt of mine is not a 1942 and the account of the Japanese air attack commercial, but I am pleased and the names of the ships involved are familiar to me. I remember seeing the PEARY go down and To his academic and journalistic back- hearing the NEPTUNA go up. Only a short time ground, he has added an extensive practical ago, on the occasion of the commemoration of the experience with the Armed Forces. He served fortieth anniversary of that attack, I sent a note to with the A.I.F. during World War 2, and then, Darwin of my recollections of the day at the changing allegiances, he saw active service with request of the Lord Mayor. It was pretty much a the RAAF in Korea, during the Malayan 'worm's eye' view and for a complex of reasons Emergency and in Vietnam. He is an author of a not a day I remember with pleasure In giving his volume of the official history of the RAAF during account of the events which led up to the raid Mr World War 2 and his other published works have Odgers refers to USS HOUSTON which I remem- covered Vietnam, Cyclone Tracy and more Air ber very well from my Darwin days. She was lost, Force history. He has a fine record of dedication, with HMAS PERTH, in the Sunda Strait later in the service, scholarship and achievement, and he month Late last year I attended and spoke at the richly deserves our commendation. 1981 national ex-prisoner of war reunion in I looked at the proofs of his new book a few Sydney and an American group from USS weeks ago and I was most impressed. As I said HOUSTON was there as special guests. That fine

Journal of the Australian Naval Institute — Page 47 ship has its special links with Australia and with At this stage of the launching, my wife would the RAN. have pressed the button which heralded the Then I note the reference to the coast destruction of a bottle of champagne. Were I to do watchers and, in particular, the reference to so in this case, a good book would also be Lieutenant Paul Mason whose picture appears on destroyed. I declare "The Royal Australian Navy: page 126. I never met Mason, but I shall never an Illustrated History" to be well and truly forget him. Late in 1942 and early in 1943 when I launched. With a change in spelling, I wish it good was in COIC in Brisbane when it was Head- "SALE-ING". quarters South West Pacific Area, the reports which came in from Mason in the Buin-Faisi area remain vivid in my mind He and his colleagues captured and still capture my imagination and AUSTRALIA'S ARMED FORCES, edited by command my admiration. Ross Gillette: Nautical Press & Publications. Then there is reference to the Bathurst Class corvettes. In October 1930 I unveiled a memorial To the reviewers knowledge, this is the first window at the Garden Island Dockyard Chapel book of its type published in Australia about the which commemorated those ships and those who Australian Armed Forces. Contributors were built and those who served in them. It was an Ross Gillette, Brian Alsop and Mike Melliar- outstanding wartime performance by Australian Phelps. All three are well versed in defence shipbuilders who, for the most part, came to their matters and the result of their labours is an in- task with little or no experience. And I shall never formative, well presented book. forget the great gathering of those who, 25 years In his acknowledgements, Ross Gillette and more ago, had sailed in those ships, and states that this book is the first edition. He does came from far and wide to this great commemora- not state when the next (or updated) version will tive event. be published; one hopes that it will be in no more There are those present today who will than two years time. remember these things and many others besides, Australia's Armed Forces is well set out. and it is good that the history is recorded in these easy to follow and profusely illustrated in both pages. No doubt there Eire others present today black and white and colour. The lack of an index who were not born, or v/ho were very small fry, does however, detract from the book. when the second world war events took place. Published in 1981, the book contains in- Credit must go to the publishers who have accuracies but not of the Editors' doing. He evidently made a great effort to produce an details the replacement for HMAS MELBOURNE attractive book. Mr Odgers rightly points out that as either a US or Spanish vessel but does lay-off no book has yet appeared on the bookstalls as the the odds by mentioning INVINCIBLE. These facts result of the sole efforts of one person. He pays may eventually be correct in the light of recent generous tribute in his acknowledgements to political decisions. many individuals and organisations who helped in Whilst the book uses the standard PR hand- the production of his booK. out photographs, Ross Gillette is to be com- mended for the imaginative use of private The idea of the book was born when two photographs by service personnel and civilians. years ago, the publishers, Child & Henry, ap- There is a noticeable bias towards the RAN in proached Mr Odgers. I am pleased that the the size of the sections but that is to be under- Department of Defence recognized the merit of stood. The RAN seems to have the greatest the project, and the Secretary, Mr Pritchert, gave collection of 'one of a type'. Whilst the sizes of the approval for the resources of his Department to be three sections do differ, the subject matter — the mobilised. principal characteristics of each piece of naval, A similar production published a few years military and air force hardware — is well covered. ago. 'The Pictorial History of the RAAF', has, I am Wherever possible, the authors have traced the told, sold more than 30,000 copies which is a history of the equipment to its acquisition significant Australian publishing achievement. I decision. hope that sales of this book will match or exceed Australia's Armed Forces is a must for the that figure. I should think that this book will have bookshelves of those interested in their own trade an immediate appeal to a wide market ranging whether it be Navy, Army or Air Force. It is a must from the serious historian to the young enthusiast. for all students of the military and reference to it by An authoritative text backed by excellent illus- critics of the military arts, is also recommended. I trations should provide a recipe for publishing have searched many bookshops for copies of this success. book but it is conspicuous by its absence. I congratulate the author, Mr Odgers, the For those wishing to purchase a copy, I would publishers, Child & Henry, and the sponsor, the recommend a direct approach to the publisher at Department of Defence. 56 The Corso, Manly, N.S.W. 2095.

Page 48 — Journal ot the Australian Naval Institute UNDERSEA WARFARE by Richard Humble. Certificate. ST MIRREN came next and was New English Library, 1981, pp188, Recom- accompanied by his first sinking when that vessel mended Price $28.95. was sunk by a U-Boat. NEOTSFIELD came next, she was sunk by a U-Boat too! Undeterred John Richard Humble has excellent credentials for Williams joined JUTEOPOLIS as Second Mate writing the book under review, being an Oxford and ventured into the Chilean nitrate trade in her graduate in military history who has previously and WRAYCASTLE. had works published on the subjects of both sea- Obtaining his Masters Certificate in 1921, and land-warfare. Furthermore, he edited the Captain Williams sailed for Australia as Second seven-volume illustrated edition of Churchill's Mate of the steamer ERA (ex MARIA LUZ). 'History of the ESP'. Married the same year to a lady he met in New- In this book his expression is clear and I castle NSW, he served in various coastal steam- found few errors of fact. The book is well laid out. It ers out of Melbourne. A brief spell ashore was progresses from the conception of the submarine, followed by service in the steamer KURANDA out via the rudimentary operational boats of 1914 to of Townsville. Ashore once again he became the Battle of the Atlantic and the 'Doomsday relieving manager of a shipping company in Ships' (sic) of today. There are a few tables and Townsville and then back to Melbourne as a charts that I found hard to follow; photographs, Wharf Manager for AUSN. Within a short time he however, are numerous and the best I have seen had started United Stevedoring Pty Ltd, Fleetway in any one volume on the subject. The many I had Express and Fleet Forge (Ship fitters). In the not seen before were made the more interesting years to the outbreak of World War II his life was by being interspersed with old friends, both sub- far from dull. In his own words: marines and submariners. "For them, the lot were going at the same I experienced a sense of deja vu as I pro- time: stevedoring, the timber trade, horse gressed through the book. Like so many other fitting, gold mining, ship fitting, road trans- books on the subject its emphasis is on the U-boat port, salvage, the mechanical grabs; and any campaigns of 1917 and 1942 with only fleeting other damned thing calculated to turn an reference to other countries' activities during honest penny..." those and other periods. US/Japanese opera- Joining the Navy two weeks after the out- tions in the Pacific unpleasantness are grudgingly break of war Captain Williams was employed in given two pages of print! Only the sketchiest Melbourne in the 'Routing Service' but this failed statements are made on Soviet submarine to provide any stimulus. Two of his companies developments other than in the SSBN field. (Fleetways Transport and Fleet Forge) had war- My feelings were mixed when I had finished time contracts and so he resigned his commission reading this book, so I read it again. This con- to get on with the war effort. The result of firmed for me that, with its splendid photographs, his resignation could only have come from a at $28.95 the book would make an excellent gift bureaucracy. for a favoured nephew. Due to its lack of compre- "The result? A letter saying that the date of hensive coverage and occasionally lightweight my demobilisation then to apply, has been approach to the subject, I cannot recommend it to put back to the date of my mobilization and the serious student of underwater warfare instructing me to collect my pay, one hundred and twenty pounds odd. In other words I A.M.F. SUMMERS hadn't been in the Navy at all and could go where I liked." Sir John continues: "The pay office at Port Melbourne had only SO ENDS THIS DAY, Captain Sir John Williams sixteen pounds (of his £120 odd) so I took Globe Press that and gave it to my mates in the control services to buy lottery tickets, and thus my So Ends This Day is the autobiography of a Naval Service ended for a little while and a man who has packed more into his life than ten good job too!" other men. In his lifetime he has been a sailor, The next stage in the authors career came master mariner, stevedore, freight line owner, when he was appointed a Captain in the 7th salvage consultant, salvor, gold miner and Division AIF. After an interview with Admiral Sir farmer. Ragner Colvin he became a Lieutenant RANR Born in Wales 1896, John Williams went to (S), was sent to FND for two weeks and then sea as a boy seaman in the steamship KING seconded to the Bank of England to head the JOHN. He soon tired of steam and signed aboard salvage attempt to recover the gold from the the barque INVERNESS. He remained in sail in sunken RMS NIAGARA in the Hauraki Gulf of vessels such as TERPSICHORE and ANGELO New Zealand. Despite frustrations and tribula- BOLIVIAN until qualifying for his Second Mates tions his team recovered gold worth £2,301,000

Journal of the Australian Naval Institute — Page 49 His share was a paltry £15,752 and an amount of arid his tenure of office lasted 15 years. Towards abuse from the (then) Prime Minister. the end of those 15 years the scene changed. Well established in the salvage business he Various ministers for Shipping and Transport became involved in salvage work in Darwin, had let ANL control its own destiny but the 1968 Victoria, New Guinea, the Barrier Reef and the elections brought changes. A Mr Ian Sinclair Pacific in general as Executive Officer and Chief succeeded Gordon Freeth as the Minister and Salvage Officer of the Commonwealth Marine during its politicising ANI and the Commission Salvage Board. 1944 saw him (and his family) in went into the red for the first time. When the Hon Calcutta salvaging the B.I. Company steamer P.J. Nixon succeeded Sinclair in 1971 Sir John SANTHIA as head of his own salvage company. decided it was time to retire. Other jobs were carried out in Burma and Thailand. Although he gave up his seat as Chairman of various companies and enterprises the urge to 1946 saw another venture started, Wilco 1 Paints of Melbourne. A succession of mergers 'keep his hand in was strong. The salvage took place and so it was back to gold-mining in attempts of WAHINE and SEAWISE UNIVERSITY Western Australia. The salvage consultancy of (ex QUEEN ELIZABETH) came under the J.P. Williams and Associates was formed in 1947. auspices of this remarkable man. Sir John was Although Fleet Forge had continued to prosper it still involved with aspects of salvage work up to 18 could get no work from the Australian Shipping months before So Ends This Day, was published Board. SS RIVER BURNETT changed all that in 1981. He was then 85 years old. when she touched the Corsair Rock in 1956 and So Ends This Day is a book begging to be thus began an association with the Menzies read time and time again. For the dreamers it Government, ASB and Senator Shane Paltridge. conjours up exotic ports and a lifestyle long gone From the ASB came the Australian National and for the realist it shows what can be done by Line. Sir John Williams became its first Chairman hard work and initiative. The book must be read.

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2 My rank'/former rank* is/was* and brief details of my service'/former service' are/I have a special interest in naval and maritime affairs because*...

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4 If accepted for membership, I agree to abide by the Constitution and By-laws of the Institute.

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OFRCE BEARERS COUNCILLORS President Lieutenant I. Allen Rear Admiral R.C. Swan AO CBE Commander D.A. Caton Senior Vice President Commander A.M. Craig Commodore N.R.B. Berlyn AM Commodore A.R. Cummins AM Junior Vice President Captain P.G.V. Dechaineux Captain O.R. Cooper Lieutenant Commander P. Downes WRANS Secretary Lieutenant Commander S.J. Hyland Commander G. Cutts Lieutenant Commander R.L. Jameson Treasurer Commander G.A. Morton Commander D.T. Bennet Lieutenant Commander O.K. Saxon Journal Editor Commander R.J.R. Pennock

PAST PRESIDENTS 1975-77 Commodore V.A. Parker 1977-78 Commodore J.A. Robertson

HONORARY LIFE MEMBERS Admiral Sir Victor Smith AC KBE CB DSC Vice Admiral Sir David Stevenson AC KBE Commodore V.A. Parker Admiral Sir Anthony Synnot KBE AO Commodore J.A. Robertson

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